Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa turned 78 today, and to celebrate, is throwing a massive birthday bash curated by his younger son B.Y. Vijayendra. But the bash is much more than a birthday celebration — it’s designed to flex muscles and show just how popular, strong and influential Yediyurappa and his family are.
There has been much speculation that the BJP’s central leadership is contemplating replacing Yediyurappa, especially considering that he’s the only party CM above the unwritten limit of 75 years of age. But at this time, Yediyurappa has invited six former chief ministers from Karnataka and outside — S.M. Krishna, Siddaramaiah, H.D. Kumaraswamy, Jagadish Shettar, D.V. Sadananda Gowda and Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh — to attend the bash at Bengaluru’s Palace Grounds.
Insiders say Singh, the former CM of Uttar Pradesh, has been invited because it was under his presidency of the BJP that Yediyurappa’s clout grew, while Siddaramaiah and Kumaraswamy’s presence would prove the point that Yediyurappa remains popular across party lines, and is virtually irreplaceable.
“L.K. Advani can be replaced by Narendra Modi, but who will replace Yediyurappa? Is there any other leader in Karnataka who is as powerful as he is? None,” said a Karnataka BJP insider.
Political commentator Sandeep Shastri said in these circumstances, the birthday bash featuring six former CMs will show Yediyurappa’s indispensability.
“In 2018, on his birthday, Yediyurappa had instructed his admirers to ensure that his age is not mentioned in any of the posters. Some posters which mentioned his age were taken down. He was worried that the central leadership would take note of his age. But today, age has become an indicator of his seniority,” Shastri told ThePrint.
Also read: Karnataka bypoll success a reminder that ‘fighter’ Yediyurappa is indispensable for BJP
‘Margdarshak Mandal’ speculation
The speculation began after an anonymous letter, which was widely circulated on social media, stated that there needed to be a change of guard, and that Yediyurappa should be “elevated” to the BJP’s ‘Margdarshak Mandal’ alongside leaders like L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi.
A meeting was reportedly held at the house of Shettar, the former Karnataka CM and current minister for large and medium industries, which included senior BJP MLAs and ministers. This fuelled speculation of dissidence against Yediyurappa in the Karnataka BJP. But the very next day, Shettar rushed to the CM’s residence to clear the air.
Now, Shettar and other senior leaders are set to be among the 1,800-odd attendees at the four-time CM’s birthday bash, which will also mark his 45th year in public life.
Also at the event, a coffee table book recounting Yediyurappa’s political journey as well as a documentary will be released.
Yediyurappa has appealed to people not to bring flowers, shawls or sweets.
“As I enter a new year of my life tomorrow, I am indebted to all the love and support that I have received from all of you, at every stage of my life. Whatever I have achieved today is a result of the blessings and faith that the people of my state have showered and that is all I seek from all of you. And hence I humbly request everyone to not bring bouquets, flowers, shawls, sweets, turbans or any souvenirs tomorrow,” he tweeted.
Also read: Do Modi-Shah risk losing another state by undermining B.S. Yediyurappa in Karnataka?
A platform for Vijayendra
Since Yediyurappa took over as chief minister last year, son Vijayendra has been labelled the “de facto CM”, because the senior leader has been relying on him more and more in running the administration. Senior BJP leaders feel this is the perfect opportunity for Vijayendra to prop himself up as Yediyurappa’s successor.
“It was Vijayendra who approached a few leaders from the opposition and the former CMs to be part of this event. It was his brainchild. With this, he has created a lasting impression among the political class and the people of Karnataka,” said a senior BJP functionary who did not wish to be named.
Vijayendra was denied a ticket by the BJP in the 2018 assembly elections, as the party “did not want to encourage dynasty politics” — something it aggressively attacked the Congress for.
Congress’ criticism
Former Union minister and senior Congress leader Veerappa Moily said holding a birthday bash of this scale at a time when the country and state are undergoing turmoil makes (Yediyurappa) look like Nero, who played the fiddle while Rome burnt.
“Holding a bash of this sort is public immorality, and unethical. When people in Karnataka are suffering, the state is reeling under a severe financial burden, people are yet to get houses in flood-affected areas, a chief minister enjoying such luxury is unacceptable,” Moily told ThePrint.
“Their party high command not asking their CM to keep a check on this extravaganza shows they too support this.”
Also read: How Amit Shah has ruined the party for Yediyurappa and BJP in Karnataka
I think, that this birthday bash of Yadiyurappa tells the BJP highcommand to keep from meddling with Karnataka politics. For quite some time, the BJP highcommand is trying to sideline Yadiyurappa. In this birthday bash, Yadiyurappa is showing his strength across party line including his bete noir Siddharamaiah. If a worst case scenario, he can revive KJP once again and destroy the gains of BJP in karnataka.