BJP leaders V Somanna, Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, Aravind Bellad, Ramesh Jarkiholi and Aravind Limbavali are planning a visit to Delhi.
Published Nov 26, 2023 | 3:22 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 27, 2023 | 2:34 AM
BJP's senior Lingayat leader and former minister V Somanna to met the party high command along with like-minded MLAs at Delhi on 7 December. (Supplied)
The dissent in the Karnataka unit of the BJP over the recent appointments of BJP Parliamentary Board member and former chief minister BS Yediyurappa’s son and first-time MLA BY Vijayendra as the president of the state unit and R Ashoka as the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Assembly appears to be snowballing.
The discontent among certain BJP leaders has become evident, with some expressing their dissatisfaction openly.
Notably, senior Lingayat leader V Somanna, along with MLAs Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, Aravind Bellad, Ramesh Jarkiholi, and former MLA Aravind Limbavali, are reportedly planning a visit to Delhi on 7 December.
This move is aimed at conveying their grievances to the party’s central leadership, reflecting the internal rift within the party over the recent key appointments.
The dissenting leaders, critical of the decision to appoint Vijayendra and Ashoka to key positions, highlight a growing challenge for the BJP as it navigates internal dynamics and seeks to maintain the unity of the party.
Meanwhile, the party high command has entrusted to resolve this brewing dissent within the state party unit to former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai, claimed sources in the party.
Somanna has expressed deep discontent with the recent appointments made by the BJP in Karnataka.
The dissatisfaction stems not only from the elevation of Vijayendra as the president of the state unit and Ashoka as the LoP in the state Assembly but also from the party’s decision to compel Somanna to contest from two Assembly seats.
Along with fellow dissidents, including MLAs Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, Arvind Bellad, Ramesh Jarkiholi, and former MLA Arvind Limbavali, Somanna plans to visit New Delhi on 7 December to convey their concerns to the central leadership.
The discontented leaders argue that the party should grow inclusively, without sidelining voices and decisions should not be imposed without considering the vision of various leaders within the party.
Somanna told reporters: “I received a message on Friday (24 November) night, and I’m considering a visit to Delhi between 7 December along with Yatnal, Limbavali, Bellad, Jarkiholi, and others.”
“Our intention is to engage with the top party leaders and express our sentiments. The dissenting leaders carry a vision that we aim to communicate to the party’s leadership,” he added.
Using a metaphor, Somanna remarked, “Just as a child cries to be fed, it is essential for the party to grow. No one should be overlooked or have unilateral control; inclusivity is crucial.”
In his candid conversation with Tumakuru’s Siddangana Mutt pontiff Siddalinga Swami recently, Somanna revealed that the party high command compelled him to contest from two Assembly seats in the 10 May Karnataka Assembly polls and that he was not a fan of the central leadership decision.
Somanna’s visit to the influential Siddaganga Math became the centre of attention as a video surfaced, revealing his candid conversation with Pontiff Siddalinga Swami.
In the video, Somanna expressed regret over accepting the party’s decision that compelled him to contest in two Assembly seats.
He openly reflected on the challenging situation, stating, “What was I to do when asked to contest with just four days left? Union Home Minister Amit Shah was in my house for two to three hours, pressuring me. What should I have done, Swamiji?”
Somanna, a prominent figure in the Lingayat community, has been visibly discontent since the Assembly polls in May, where he faced defeat in two constituencies: Varuna and Chamarajanagar.
The dissatisfaction stems from being directed by the party’s high command to shift from his Govindaraj Nagar seat and contest from Varuna against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, as well as from Chamarajanagar.
The revelation of Union Minister Amit Shah’s significant involvement in pressuring Somanna adds a layer of complexity to the situation, raising questions about the extent of influence exerted by the party’s high command in such crucial decisions.
BJP’s senior Dalit leader Aravind Limbavali openly expressed his discontent with the recent appointments of the party’s state unit president and LoP and raised concerns, alleging that the selection process seemed to prioritise “adjustment politics” over merit.
In a mocking tone, Limbavali told reporters: “Perhaps the party leadership believed that securing more seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections would be facilitated by their ‘adjusting’ with leaders from rival political factions.
Highlighting the diverse methods employed by BJP MLAs in the last Assembly polls, Limbavali remarked that while some emerged victorious based on their individual capabilities, others resorted to what he termed as “adjustment politics.”
“It is time to put an end to such practices. We should do away with the prevailing trend of accommodating political adjustments,” added Limbavali.
It may be noted that in the 2023 Karnataka Assembly polls, the BJP high command denied a ticket to Limbavali and instead fielded his wife Manjula Limbavali, who successfully contested from the Mahadevapura Assembly seat.
Limbavali was an aspirant for the state president post, claimed sources in the party.
Another senior Dalit leader, Govind Karjol, told South First: “It is not appropriate to discuss the internal party affairs publicly. The high command is observing all the developments. It is already on a mission to resolve the discontent in the cadre.”
Amidst the escalating dissent, the central leadership of the BJP entrusted Bommai with the crucial responsibility of addressing and resolving the discontent within the party cadre.
Taking up the task, Bommai held talks with North Karnataka MLAs Ramesh Jarkiholi and Aravind Bellad and veteran leader V Somanna at his residence in Bengaluru. However, Vijayapura City MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal is yet to accept the invitation of the former chief minister.
On anonymity, a close aide of Bommai told South First: “After the dissent broke out in the cadre owing to these two appointments, the party high command has given the task to Bommai to resolve the discord.”
“MLAs Jarkiholi, Bellad and Yatnal were upset at the high command that did not consider the North Karnataka MLAs for the LoP post and discontent over Vijayendra’s appointment.”
“Bommai has held talks with Jarkiholi, Bellad and Somanna. Yatnal has yet to accept the invitation. Gokak and Hubballi-Dharwad West MLAs have honoured the words of the former CM. Bellad has been offered a chief-whip post but he is yet to accept it,” elaborated Bommai’s aide.
He further said: “Somanna also met and held talks with Bommai. He expressed his discontent over these appointments. He is likely to escalate this issue with the party high command as he is scheduled to meet central leaders on 7 December.”
After meeting Bommai, Jarkiholi and Bellad called on newly appointed state president Vijayendra in Bengaluru.
However, Bellad and Jarkiholi are said to be still upset with the high command over the regional imbalance in these two appointments, claimed sources in the party.
