Bengaluru/New Delhi: Former Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa, simply the tallest chief of the highly effective Lingayat group and architect of the BJP’s maintain in the state, has emerged as a dilemma for the celebration.
Whereas he’s seen as the important thing to the state’s 17 per cent Lingayat votes, a number of the BJP’s Karnataka unit’s issues at current are additionally centered on him.
Chaos and discord is obvious in the state unit, which incorporates Yediyurappa’s son BY Vijayendra, the celebration’s state vice-president.
Yediyurappa’s push to venture Vijayendra as his successor – and resentment amongst some leaders in the state – was believed to be one of many causes for his elimination as CM in July 2021.
Whereas the latter has turn into a well-liked chief, particularly among the many youth, he’s the topic of some consternation amongst a piece of native BJP leaders, who say he ran a parallel government Throughout his father’s tenure as CM.
Yeddyurappa final 12 months announced That he’s leaving his constituency Shikaripura for Vijayendra.
Including to that is the persevering with resentment in some sections over what’s seen because the disproportionate favor proven by the previous CM to the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) rebels that helped convey him again to energy in 2019.
Talking to ThePrint, BJP Karnataka vice-president Nirmal Kumar mentioned that there isn’t a doubt that Yediyurappa is probably the most revered celebration chief with an enormous affect on the lots, as mirrored in the PM’s speeches.
“The party is fighting to win the elections under the guidance of Yediyurappa and the chief minister,” he mentioned.
Learn additionally: Rahul isn’t getting married as a result of he can not have youngsters – Karnataka BJP chief shocked by assault on Congress MP
scramble for tickets
Earlier this week, Yediyurappa suddenly left After a scheduled rally in Chikmagalur district, a piece of BJP staff demanded that MP Kumaraswamy not be given a ticket in the approaching elections.
In the meantime, BJP nationwide normal secretary CT Ravi reprimanded the protesters. “Is there no respect for the party? (AAP) is trying to insult the party,” Ravi mentioned.
However, inside weeks, Ravi hit out at Yediyurappa, although he denied it.
Sunday“Vijayendra is not an automatic choice to contest from the Shikaripura seat vacated by Yeddyurappa after he pulled out of the poll race,” the Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu affairs watchdog mentioned on Tuesday.
He mentioned, “…the choice on the candidate won’t be in anybody’s kitchen. Nobody will get ticket as a result of they’re somebody’s son.
The choice, he mentioned, can be based mostly on the winnability of a candidate.
Ravi later clarified that his views weren’t directed at Vijayendra, and Yediyurappa tried to downplay it by saying, “Ravi is right, whether it is Vijayendra or any other MLA, it is the board that decides on ticket distribution.” Will do.”
Nonetheless, Vijayendra, who was visiting Koppal district, dropped out the subsequent day. “When enemies develop, it exhibits that we’re rising. CT Ravi is a senior chief and is aware of that BS Yediyurappa is extra senior than him and he helped construct the celebration in Karnataka… Everybody is aware of that call The place will it’s performed?
He mentioned, ‘I’m not dropping sleep over the election. The celebration has given me the job and I’ll comply with the choice of senior celebration leaders. They said Wednesday,
Then there are the Congress-JD(S) rebels, who got tickets to contest the 2019 bypolls and most of whom have been accommodated in the state authorities on the behest of Yediyurappa, on the expense of celebration leaders.
Now, Ramesh Jarkiholi, a former minister and one of many insurgent MLAs who switched to the BJP to convey it again to energy in 2019, Where is That he would contest for the BJP provided that the celebration gave ticket to his good friend Mahesh Kumathalli, a former Congress insurgent.
A minimum of 6 BJP MLAs met Union minister and Karnataka in-cost Dharmendra Pradhan final Sunday to lift considerations over Jarkiholi’s alleged interference in all issues in Belagavi district, which includes 18 seats.
When requested in regards to the Ravi-Vijayendra episode, state BJP spokesperson Ganesh Karnik mentioned that Ravi has clarified that his assertion was not aimed toward Yediyurappa. “Everyone in the party knows how tickets are distributed in the party… It is a well-defined structure,” he mentioned.
What’s mistaken with the state unit
Yeddyurappa given significance by BJP’s central management was clarified In the course of the state go to by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Residence Minister Amit Shah final month.
Nonetheless, earlier this month, outgoing Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, additionally a Lingayat, was appointed as the top of the marketing campaign committee, after Yediyurappa Was mentioned be a claimant of In the meantime, Yediyurappa was made a member of the panel.
Talking to ThePrint, BJP leaders mentioned the choice was aimed toward placing a balance between Yediyurappa and Bommai. The concept, he mentioned, was to make sure that nobody thinks that the BJP has deserted its chief minister.
Yeddyurappa’s ouster from the chief minister’s submit in July 2021, in any case, is one thing that’s nonetheless troubling the BJP.
The Congress is utilizing this in its Lingayat outreach, attempting to painting the choice as an indication of the BJP’s lack of respect for the chief.
A central BJP functionary advised ThePrint that “confusion, concern over Vijayendra’s growing influence” are a number of the points plaguing the celebration in Karnataka.
He mentioned that whereas politicians can settle scores on the time of elections, “when the PM, the Home Minister are appealing to the voters to repose faith in the Modi-Yeddyurappa leadership, it is obvious that the top leadership knows how much to retain Yediyurappa.” is vital.” in good humour”.
He mentioned that Lingayats have been a vocal group.
Lingayats have been mentioned to be one of many components accountable for the BJP’s low rating in 2013, when Yeddyurappa floated one other celebration throughout a small insurrection.
Given the affect of Lingayats, the chief mentioned, any assault on Yediyurappa could possibly be counterproductive at a time when the Congress is attempting to get a share of the Lingayat vote. “If Lingayats lose hope of having a say in power, they will not vote enthusiastically,” he mentioned.
On Bommai’s appointment as marketing campaign committee chief, one other central celebration functionary mentioned, “Not appointing him as campaign committee chief would send a message that the party has abandoned its chief minister”.
“When you’re at war, you can’t take your place commander (Commander)… Cadres will lose morale and combat. This was essential to maintain morale excessive.
A BJP MP from the state mentioned, “A section (in) the party does not want Yeddyurappa’s influence in decision making… They are happy with Bommai who is a consensus builder and not aggressive in decision making like Yeddyurappa.” Are”.
In addition to, the MP mentioned, Vijayendra’s rising clout might fear those that predict an even bigger function in the celebration after Yeddyurappa’s resignation from lively politics.
“They tolerate Yeddyurappa as a result of he’s a big chief however they don’t want Vijayendra to turn into a extra highly effective and assertive chief. CT Ravi attracts energy from a senior central chief who has been Yeddyurappa’s adversary because the early days.
However, the chief mentioned, “It is up to the party high command how counterproductive it would be to anger Yeddyurappa at the time of elections”.
Learn additionally: Honor, however with out reins? How Yeddyurappa is giving combined indicators to Karnataka BJP