Groupism intensifies in BJP as ‘rebel’ group leaves for Delhi to submit interim report on waqf row campaign

The internal tussle in the BJP State unit appears to be intensifying as a “rebel” group of leaders, who have embarked upon a parallel campaign on the waqf row, not only left for Delhi on Sunday night to meet Central leaders to submit an interim report on their findings, but also announced that they are planning to hold a mega convention in Davangere on the waqf issue. 

The internal tussle in the BJP State unit appears to be intensifying as a “rebel” group of leaders, who have embarked upon a parallel campaign on the waqf row, not only left for Delhi on Sunday night to meet Central leaders to submit an interim report on their findings, but also announced that they are planning to hold a mega convention in Davangere on the waqf issue. 

Their Delhi visit has assumed importance as it comes just a day after State president B.Y. Vijayendra called on Central leaders in Delhi to apprise them about developments in Karnataka, including the “rebel” activities. 

The proposed convention is being seen as a show of strength being planned by the “rebel” group though it is still not clear whether the party high command would give permission for the event. 

The “rebel” group [comprising Basanagouda R. Patil Yatnal, senior MLA; Pratap Simha, former MP, and former Ministers Ramesh Jarkiholi, Arvind Limbavali, and Kumar Bangarappa, among others] has been touring different districts of Karnataka as part of their campaign on the waqf row, and also raised a banner of revolt against veteran leader B.S. Yediyurappa and his son Mr. Vijayendra. On Sunday, they took out a campaign in Belagavi. 

The war of words continued on Sunday with Mr. Yatnal accusing Mr. Vijayendra of indulging in politics of compromise. He alleged that Mr. Vijayendra had managed to get Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakuamr to sign 20 letters regarding development and also claimed to have video evidence. 

Responding sharply to this, Mr. Vijayendra urged him to release such evidence at the earliest without waiting for an opportune time. 

Meanwhile, loyalists of Mr. Vijayendra [including former Ministers M.P. Renukacharya, B.C. Patil, and Katta Subramanya Naidu] met at his residence in Bengaluru on Sunday and demanded serious action against the “rebels”, especially Mr. Yatnal. They accused the “rebel” group of resorting to such an activity out of frustration of owing to not getting any prominent party positions.