INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
BENGALURU: Elevation of BJP strongman and former CM BS Yediyurappa to the party's core electioneering team has piqued several camps, forcing
the high command to send in party seniors, including national general secretary in charge of Karnataka Arun Singh and Union minister
Dharmendra Pradhan, to assuage the ruffled feelings.After he quit as CM in 2021, Yediyurappa has been keeping a low profile
With the polls around the corner, the party appeared to be struggling to keep its Lingayat vote base intact without the prominent presence
of the community strongman.Fearing a likely electoral setback, the BJP leadership brought the veteran back to the centrestage of its poll
campaign and informally handed over the leadership to him.Many camps in BJP worried about Vijayendra's role This has caused much
consternation among several caste group leaders: Lingayat-Panchamasali sub-sect, Vokkaligas, and OBCs.The nub of the issue is less to do
with the reintroduction of Yediyurappa
Several camps are worried that his son BY Vijayendra, who had an influential presence in the government headed by his father to the
discomfiture of many, may again gain prominence after the assembly elections
Vijayendra is tipped to replace Yediyurappa as BJP candidate from family fief Shikaripura in Shivamogga district and is leading the party
campaign as convener of morcha conventions.Lingayat leaders Basangouda Patil Yatnal, Arvind Bellad (both Panchamasalis), Laxman Savadi and
even a section of supporters of chief minister Basavaraj Bommai are said to be among those sulking
Likewise, Vokkaliga leaders, including CT Ravi, CP Yogeshwar and CN Ashwath Narayan, are reportedly not comfortable that this development
might hamper the ongoing efforts to consolidate Vokkaliga votes.Senior Lingayat minister V Somanna, who is at loggerheads with Vijayendra,
has openly revolted and given an indication of quitting BJP.Taking note of the discontent, central BJP leaders Arun Singh and Dharmendra
Pradhan have reportedly spoken to the dissidents, including V Somanna, and tried to convince them that their fears are unfounded.BJP state
general secretary N Ravikumar conceded that there's "confusion to an extent as it is natural in a democratic set-up
Our leaders are talking to those who have some genuine concerns
The issue is being solved"
Claiming that the initial talks paid off, Ravikumar said Somanna will take part in a BJP roadshow in Bengaluru on Monday.
