Vijayendra refutes Sudhakar’s charges; claims central leaders take final call on appointments

State BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra addresses controversy over district office-bearer appointments, faces rebellion from MP Sudhakar.

State BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra on Thursday said the appointment of office-bearers for the district units, including Chikkaballapur, was done in consultation with the party functionaries in the districts and that the Central leaders took the final call on the appointment.

“I had no role in it. The process of choosing the office-bearers began about four or months ago, and the returning officers for the party’s elections went to the districts to elicit opinions. The names of three candidates for the posts of district units were sent to Delhi,” he told reporters.

MP for Chikkaballapur K. Sudhakar had hit out at Mr. Vijayendra and accused him of making unilateral decisions over the appointments. The MP said he would seek Mr. Vijayendra’s ouster writing to the central leaders. The MP’s rebellion against the State president added to the worries of the central leadership which is making efforts to placate revolt within the State unit with leaders like Basanagouda Patil Yatnal demanding Mr. Vijayendra’s replacement as party chief.

Mr. Vijayendra, in response to Mr. Sudhakar’s banner of revolt against him , said he was not displeased over the MP’s outbursts. “I think he lacked information. I was surprised by his statement.”

While denying the allegation that he denied an appointment to meet the MP and took unilateral decisions, Mr. Vijayendra said he could not meet Mr. Sudhakar as he had rushed to Delhi to meet the central leaders. “Being the party president, I can meet anybody in the party. If leaders like Mr. Sudhakar wish to meet me, I would certainly meet. But none called me for a meeting,” he replied.

When asked whether he was being targeted by the leaders within the party, the State party chief said he could tolerate any amount of criticism for the sake of the party. “I have the patience to endure criticisms. I am the son of B.S. Yediyurappa. I’ll take everyone’s confidence.”

To a question whether he was being targeted for being the son of Mr. Yediyurappa, he said, “I am proud to be the son of Mr. Yediyurappa.” Describing himself as a “growing leader”, Mr. Vijayendra said he was ready to take up challenges that come his way and added that he would face them patiently.