Bengaluru: Ever since his elevation Friday, Karnataka BJP chief B.Y. Vijayendra has met senior leaders H.D.Deve Gowda, H.D.Kumaraswamy, S.M.Krishna, Basavaraj Bommai as well as pontiffs of the Adi Chunchungiri and Sri Siddaganga Mutts in what appears to be an attempt to get their blessings.
But, an undercurrent of disgruntlement threatens to pile on problems for the BJP ahead of the 2024 general election in Karnataka.
Overlooked for the post, senior leaders like V.Somanna are maintaining an eerie silence, threatening to boil over simmering tensions within the party that is a divided house ever since losing power in May.
Several ‘old timers’ conceded that Vijayendra’s elevation has shaken their core ideological beliefs, fuelling disgruntlement stronger than what some of them felt when his father B.S.Yediyurappa remained in power despite open calls for ouster.
“We chose to become part of the BJP nearly four decades ago when it had no power, had only one MLA and one panchayat member. But we believed in its ideology of Hindutva and anti-dynastic politics. But for us who believed in this ideology and helped the party grow to what it is today, what is the message that Vijayendra’s elevation gives? From the last benches, he has been given first. Right? Our entire ideological roots are shaken,” a senior BJP leader said.
“…we as a party have questioned the Congress and the JD(S) for dynasty politics, but have failed to look within our own ranks. We can’t call this merit as this justification can be used by other dynasty parties also.”
Vijayendra, a first-time MLA from Shikaripura, along with his father B.S.Yediyurappa were called out by senior leaders like Basanagouda Patil Yatnal for indulging in corruption.
He is also said to be the main reason for Yediyurappa being asked to step down as CM in 2011 as well as 2021, two senior leaders said.
“Vijayendra is the son of a very influential mass leader and chief minister. He was in a very good position to build rapport and emerge as a strong leader. Instead, he squandered it all,” a senior BJP legislator said, referring to anonymous letters in 2021 which called for Yediyurappa to step down as his son was running a parallel government.
These letters were said to be written by a section of Yediyurappa loyalists who felt humiliated having to get any government work done or sanctioned cleared by Vijayendra.
Vijayendra’s elevation has ‘splintered’ the party further instead of uniting it ahead of 2024, the legislator said.
But for a few others, Vijayendra’s elevation is the “need of the hour”. “If we give chance only to those ahead in the queue, it will take youngsters 25 years to get to these positions. He has been given the position on merit,” said a former BJP legislator.
‘Vertical legacy’
Parallely, Yediyurappa appears to have the upper hand in his cold war with BJP national general secretary B.L.Santosh, after nearly four years of being sidelined.
Former BJP national general secretary C.T.Ravi was tipped to replace Nalin Kateel as the state chief. Both leaders are considered to be close aides of Santosh.
Getting the party brass to overlook Santosh, the second in command, indicates how Yediyurappa has retaken control over the party, political observers said.
Though the name of Union minister Shobha Karandlaje, a Yediyurappa acolyte, was doing the rounds, Vijayendra’s nomination has come as a shock to most.
“This vertical legacy may have good political benefits. But what about ideology? The present and future of our ideology has been dented badly,” the senior leader cited above said.
Though the BJP is on a simmer for a while now, especially due to the leadership crisis after Yediyurappa’s forced exit in 2021, its high command is unlikely to take any criticism of decisions lightly. “We are not rebelling not because we can’t, but because of discipline,” the leader asserted.
Senior legislator V.Somanna’s silence has fuelled speculation that he is likely to be drifting towards the Congress, a BJP insider said.
Ravi, too, could not be reached for comment.
On Monday, Ravi told reporters that he has just the BJP and will respect any position or orders it gives. “The president’s post is a big position. Whatever respect that post deserves, we will give. If I am not given any position, I will still seek votes for my party with my own strength and not for any others. Ever since I gained some sense, I have only sought votes for the BJP and voted also only for them. I have only the BJP. If I am asked not to do politics, I will sit out but not with any other party,” he said in Bengaluru.
A day earlier, Ravi said that anything he says about Vijayendra’s elevation will be “misconstrued” and added that he will save his “analysis” to be aired at the appropriate forum.
Vijayendra met Ravi on Monday evening at the latter’s residence in Bengaluru. Ravi had earlier also said that he will continue to respect the position of (state) president but has refrained from further comment.
“It is common that a person who has been national general secretary, involved in the party and organisation…He will have his own opinions…I have a duty to take the advice of all seniors and move forward,” Vijayendra said Sunday in Bengaluru.
On Tuesday, Vijayendra’s team shared a statement by BJP national president J.P.Nadda in which he remarked that the Karnataka unit chief was chosen for his abilities alone.
In an interview to Hindi daily Dainik Jagran, Nadda was quoted as saying that Vijayendra had “earned leadership role through his capabilities” and that he was a “valuable asset” whose contributions have benefitted the BJP.
“The appointment also reflects the party’s commitment to recognizing and promoting the hardworking youth within its ranks,” according to the statement shared by the new BJP president’s office.
“The primary message is that Vijayendra has earned this leadership role through his capabilities. Having dedicated considerable time to the party organization, he has proven to be an asset, with the BJP benefiting from his contributions. The appointment of Vijayendra, who is a young leader, distinctly communicates that the BJP values and promotes hardworking youth,” according to the statement.
Rise of Vijayendra
Ever since he was made the Bengaluru District secretary in 1999, Vijayendra has held several important positions. He was made incharge of the K.R.Pete bypolls in 2019 and secured the BJP’s first victory from Mandya district. This was followed up with a win in Sira. But in 2021, Vijayendra lost the Maski bypolls.
At the peak of Covid wave, he was made the BJP state vice-president. However, he was denied an MLC nomination in May 2022. Two months later, Yediyurappa announced that Vijayendra would replace him in Shikaripura — a seat he had represented since 1983.
In February, he was made in charge of the Morcha conventions. But Vijayendra recorded a steep dip in vote share. In 2018, Yediyurappa won 56.16 percent of votes in Shikaripura, winning by a margin of over 35,000. This year, Vijayendra won by just over 10,000 votes, mostly because the Congress candidate rebelled after being denied a ticket. The independent secured 70,371 votes as against 81,810 by Vijayendra, according to EC data.
Yediyurappa has always tried to project Vijayendra not just as his political heir, but also as the next leader of the dominant Lingayat community. But Vijayendra’s challenges remain within his own party which remains a divided house as of now. Whether he will be able to unite the party or divide, it remains to be seen.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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