BJP leaders have publicly dissented in Koppal, Bengaluru North, Tumakuru, Shivamogga, Davanagere, Vijayapura and Bidar parliamentary constituencies.
BJP Karnataka leaders.(Supplied)
Ever since the BJP high command announced candidates for 20 parliament seats in Karnataka, the state unit is in disarray. Karnataka BJP has turned into a divided house over choice of candidates and allegations of ‘control of one family’, ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
The state leadership’s political engineering to control the damages doesn’t seem to be yielding results with dejected aspirants refusing to budge or accept counteroffers. A lot of the grouse is directed at BJP state unit President BY Vijayendra and his father BS Yediyurappa.
BJP leaders are now worried that this infighting could affect the saffron party’s prospects in a few seats if the central leadership doesn’t intervene immediately.
Several BJP leaders and workers have publicly expressed dissent in Koppal, Bengaluru North, Tumakuru, Shivamogga, Davanagere, Vijayapura and Bidar parliamentary constituencies.
The infighting is threatening to put a wrench into BJP’s plans of winning all 28 seats in Karnataka in alliance with JD(S).
After BJP senior Lingayat leader and former chief minister, Jagadish Shettar announced that he would be contesting from Belagavi, the local party leaders and cadres are opposing his candidacy. The workers accuse him of being an outsider and betrayer. Shettar quit BJP and joined Congress ahead of Karnataka assembly elections. He returned to BJP even before he resigned as a Congress MLC later.
Disgruntled BJP leaders have reportedly put up #GoBackShettar banners across Belagavi on Wednesday evening.
Despite these developments, Shettar is firm on contesting from Belagavi itself.
Campaigns were carried out on social media platforms, including X, opposing Shettar’s candidature from Belagavi seat. The BJP high command was urged to consider local leaders for the parliament elections.
A BJP leader, who didn’t want to be named, told South First: “The senior and influential leaders in Belagavi are against Shettar’s candidature. The disgruntled leaders are making valiant efforts to revoke the party’s decision to give the ticket to Shettar from Belagavi.”
“A section of the party workers had also put up posters. The party is taking note of everything. The high command is likely to intervene and resolve the dissent before the election campaign kick-starts,” added the BJP leader.
“The dissent from a section of local leaders won’t affect my election. I will take everyone into confidence on the very first day and work towards ensuring the party’s victory. I am confident despite the dissent, I will win in the polls,” Shettar said.
Even as the Lok Sabha elections are just a few weeks away, some BJP Karnataka leaders are threatening to contest as independent candidates.
Others disgruntled leaders, however, made it clear that even though they were miffed over not getting tickets, they will work for the BJP in their constituencies to ensure a third term for Narendra Modi.
After former deputy chief minister KS Eshwarappa said he would contest as an independent, former chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda said that he would remain with the party, but has declared war on BS Yediyurappa and his family.
He stated that he would launch a “mission to purify the state BJP unit” and would fight against parivavaad (dynasty politics) in Karnataka after the parliament elections.
Koppal’s incumbent MP Karadi Sanganna is also following in Eshwarappa’s footsteps. He is also expected to contest as an independent candidate. Sanganna has been representing the Koppal constituency for two successive terms in Lok Sabha.
The party high command has announced a ticket to former Khustagi MLA K Sharanappa’s son Dr Basavaraj Kyavator from Koppal.
In Vijayapura, the party has fielded six-time MP Ramesh Jigajinagi for the fourth consecutive time. Following that, ticket aspirant Dr Babu Rajendra Naik declared rebellion against Jigajinagi and hinted at contesting as an independent candidate.
Amidst the opposition from MLAs, Sharanu Salagar and Prabhu Chauhan, the saffron party fielded incumbent MP and Union MoS Bhagwanth Khuba from the Bidar constituency.
The BJP MLAs are said to be reluctant to work or campaign for the party’s sitting MP.
In Davanagere, former BJP MLA MP Renukacharya, a ticket aspirant, opposed the candidature of sitting MP GM siddeshwar’s wife Gayatri Siddeshwar.
Even after the state leadership sent a team to convince Renukacharya, he couldn’t be placated, claimed BJP sources.
Renukacharya has said that he would announce his decision about extending support to the BJP candidate after considering the opinion of his supporters.
Similarly, in Tumakuru, former minister JC Madhuswamy objected to the party’s decision to field senior Lingayat leader V Somanna.
Though he clarified that he would not be joining any party or contesting as an independent candidate, he declared that he would not support BJP’s face, considering him an outsider.
Even though there is dissent in several constituencies, the state leadership is on a mission to address the qualms of the disgruntled leaders. BJP leaders believe that this dissent won’t affect the party’s prospects in the polls.
BJP state vice-president Murugesh Nirani, Karnataka Legislative Council Opposition Party’s chief whip and MLC N Ravikumar and other leaders have been entrusted with a task to resolve the dissent within the cadre.
An office bearer of the BJP told South First: “The Karnataka Lok Sabha in-charge (Radha Mohandas Agarwal) and the high command is aware of all the latest developments in the state. They are already on the job to resolve the dissent.”
“A team led by Nirani held talks with Renukacharya. He has responded positively. He has said that he would announce his decision after holding a meeting with his supporters. Similarly, efforts are underway to convince Karadi Sanganna. We are confident that he will not quit the party.”
“There is dissent in Belagavi also. The high command will sort out issues in this seat. Even Sadananda Gowda declared that he would not quit the party. Likewise, the disgruntled leaders will be convinced. This won’t affect the party’s prospects,” elaborated the BJP leader.
He also said that the dissent appears to be only in the BJP as we have announced candidates for 20 seats, whereas the Congress announced for only seven seats.
“If the Congress releases its full list, dissent will break out in their party as well. The high command will resolve the issue,” added the BJP leader.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil)
May 05, 2024
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