BJP’s bickering in the open again as Sadananda Gowda and Yatnal face off

A section of party leaders are unhappy that the high command has not intervened to bring about unity in the State party unit

The internal rivalry in the Karnataka BJP unit that intensified in recent weeks took another ugly turn on Thursday with a public spat between former Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda and the rebel leader and Vijayapura legislator Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, with the latter asking the former to shut his mouth.

The rebel group opposed to the appointment of Shikaripur legislator B.Y. Vijayendra as the State unit president has been taking potshots at him in public even as it is undertaking its own padayatra against wakf land issue, distancing itself from the party’s official programme. In response, the group backing the State president is also toying with the idea of holding a rally in Davangere as a show of strength, though details are yet to be chalked out.

The larger context

The intensifying of barbs between the leaders in public is being seen in the backdrop of an expected BJP rejig at the national level in the next couple of months. The BJP’s loss in two Assembly constituencies in the byelections in Karnataka has also cast a shadow on the State’s unit.

On Thursday, it all began with Mr. Gowda telling reporters in Bidar that whoever is seeking a change should approach the high command, which has appointed the State president, instead of speaking in public. “They are undermining the decision of the national leaders. Ironically, the self-styled leaders have a connection with central leaders and they can approach the high command. Speaking on the streets on the issue is indiscipline,” he said, indirectly referring to Mr. Yatnal and others.

In response, Mr. Yatnal hit out at Mr. Gowda and said, “We have not spoken against the party. We will not stop our fight since this is about the welfare of farmers [referring to the waqf land issue]. This fight is not to become the Chief Minister or against any family. No one needs to be anxious.” He further said, “Mr. Gowda has spoken worse things about corruption involving former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and Mr. Vijayendra. In fact, I have not spoken as much. If I speak now, Mr. Gowda will get exposed. It is better for him to shut his mouth.”

This came a couple of days after Mr. Yatnal, at a rally in Kalaburagi, claimed that the next Chief Minister from the BJP would be from his group, and that they would take the final call on candidate selection. This has come as a surprise for many in the party. “How can he say such things in public? Is there some force backing him to prevent any disciplinary action for such insubordination?” a source wondered.

Earlier, Mr. Yediyurappa, Mr. Vijayendra’s father, in an attempt at reconciliation, had asked Mr. Yatnal and others to “keep aside their ego and work for the party”.

Not reigned in

Sources said that a section is also unhappy that the high command has not reigned in the rebels, who are publicly embarrassing the party. They also acknowledged that the central leadership was busy with crucial Haryana and Maharashtra elections, but some action needs to be taken now.

While leaders such as Mr. Yatnal, Ramesh Jharkiholi, Arvind Limbavali, and Kumar Bangarappa have been openly opposing the State president, sources said that a number of leaders are silently watching the drama unfolding in the party. “The situation is very fluid and they have not identified with any group,” said a source.

“Some leaders are hoping that the Karnataka unit could be part of the national rejig of the party. The leaders opposed to Mr. Vijayendra are upping the ante to destabilise him and undermine him,” another BJP source said.

Published - November 28, 2024 09:04 pm IST