The rebels are said to have alleged that under Vijayendra’s leadership, the party has not mounted effective protests against major issues such as infighting within the Karnataka Congress government, problems faced by sugarcane and maize farmers.
Published Dec 06, 2025 | 8:58 AM ⚊ Updated Dec 06, 2025 | 8:58 AM
BJP Karnataka President BY Vijayendra
Synopsis: Since early this week, several leaders of the Karnataka unit of the BJP unhappy with State president BY Vijayendra’s leadership have been camping in Delhi seeking his removal. They have alleged that under his leadership, the party has failed to mount an effective opposition against the ruling Congress.
The Congress may have monopolised headlines in recent weeks in Karnataka, but the opposition BJP is faring no better in terms of internal factionalism.
Several unhappy leaders of the party have been camping in Delhi since Tuesday evening, 2 December, seeking a leadership change in the State unit.
Ramesh Jarkiholi, Kumar Bangarappa, BP Harish, Shrimanth Patil and NS Santosh, among others, are said to have managed to meet the top brass and place their complaints before it against State party president BY Vijayendra.
The rebel leaders claim that Vijayendra is failing to provide effective leadership, is neglecting major issues facing the State, has not strengthened the party organisation, and has largely confined his role to issuing media statements.
According to sources, the dissatisfied leaders have also met State BJP in-charge Radha Mohan Das Agarwal, Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, V Somanna, and MPs Basavaraj Bommai and Dr Sudhakar and have held discussions.
The rebels are said to have alleged that under Vijayendra’s leadership, the party has not mounted effective protests against major issues such as infighting within the Karnataka Congress government, problems faced by sugarcane and maize farmers.
“We have not asked that a particular person be made the State president. We have not projected anybody. We are asking for corrections to be made so that in 2028 it would be better,” one of the rebel faction leaders, Kumar Bangarappa, said.
Former Minister MP Renukacharya criticised the rebel and claimed that there is no factionalism within the State unit.
“Vijayendra has worked very well as president for the last two years. He is working successfully. The high command has instructed us not to speak unnecessarily. Our fight is against the Congress. If we are silent, that is not our weakness,” he said.
He also said that those who went to Delhi have not done any work in their own constituencies.
“Just because they have money, they have taken a flight and gone. They are a big zero in their constituencies. They just go, drink coffee, and come back. None of the high-command leaders have given them time,” he said.
The Congress, meanwhile, was quick to capitalise on the BJP’s internal discord. Minister Ramalinga Reddy claimed that the kind of factionalism seen in the BJP is not present in the Congress.
“From 2008 to 2013 they were in power. In three years, they brought down BS Yediyurappa from the Chief Minister’s post. Then Sadananda Gowda was the Chief Minister for one year and they brought him down in a year’s time. Then Jagadish Shettar became the Chief Minister,” he said.
He added that when they came to power once again, BS Yediyurappa became the Chief Minister once more only to be replaced by BS Bommai, and that they need to first put their house in order.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
