Karnataka: BJP rebels to meet central leaders in Delhi today to complain against Vijayendra

All eyes in the BJP are now on developments in Delhi as rebel leaders are set to meet the central leaders on Tuesday to complain against party State president B.Y. Vijayendra and to seek his replacement.

All eyes in the BJP are now on developments in Delhi as rebel leaders are set to meet the central leaders on Tuesday to complain against party State president B.Y. Vijayendra and to seek his replacement.

While a few rebels, including MLA B.P. Harish and former Ministers Ramesh Jarkiholi and Kumar Bangarappa, have already left for Delhi, others including senior MLA Basanagouda Patil will leave on Tuesday. Sources in the rebels’ camp said they are planning to meet some of the central leaders on Tuesday itself.

Mr. Yatnal, who has openly rebelled against Mr. Vijayendra, told media persons in Vijayapura on Monday that they (rebels) were going to appraise the high command about veteran leader B.S. Yediyurappa and his son’s “wrongdoings”. “We are going to Delhi to draw the attention of the party high command on the State president’s position. We are fighting against the dynasty and family politics and we will brief the party high command about this,” he said.

Mr. Yatnal said that they wanted to end family politics in the BJP, besides seeking the appointment of a pro-Hindutva leader as party president. He alleged that the reason for the party’s condition in Karnataka was its inability to protect Hindutva. They (BJP) did not protect Hindus and even did not bother to question when Hindus were killed, he said.

“If Mr. Vijayendra continues as BJP State president, the party will reach a pitiable condition in the State. Both Mr. Yediyurappa and Mr. Vijayendra are frightened now because of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. They have been warned of reviving all their old cases, including the alleged forgery case and POCSO case of Mr. Yediyurappa, if they continue to speak against the government. We are just asking the party high command if they would allow such leaders to lead the party,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Vijayendra told media persons in Shivamogga that he is confident of continuing in the post of party as State president. He also expressed confidence that the differences within the party would be resolved after election to the post. “All the issues will be resolved within a week or 10 days. The high command has been observing the developments closely,” he stated.

Meanwhile, a secret meeting between former Minister B. Sriramulu, who expressed pain over the developments in the party, and BJP State general secretary P. Rajeev, who is identified with Mr. Vijayendra’s faction, on Monday has led to speculations. Mr. Sriramulu, who is upset with his one-time friend B. Janardhan Reddy, has negated reports about him quitting the party. He, however, said that Mr. Vijayendra should take everyone into confidence.