On 25 November, MLA Yatnal's faction held an awareness rally in Bidar against the Waqf properties row. Local BJP leaders opposed it, prompting the Karnataka unit to distance itself and form teams to assess the issue
Published Dec 02, 2024 | 4:02 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 02, 2024 | 4:02 PM
BJP issues show cause notice to Bijapur MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal over disciplinary violations(supplied)
Two days after BJP’s Karnataka MP, led by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, urged Union Minister Amit Shah to resolve the ongoing conflict between state unit president and MLA BY Vijayendra and Bijapur City MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, the BJP’s Central Disciplinary Committee (CDC) issued a show cause notice to Yatnal on Monday,2 December, giving him 10 days to reply.
The notice was issued by BJP’s Central Disciplinary Committee Member Secretary Om Pathak, citing Yatnal’s “continuing tirade” against the state leadership, his “defiance” of party directives, and public statements made in contravention of the party’s official position on various matters.
On 25 November, a faction led by MLA Yatnal organised a separate awareness rally in Bidar under the party banner against the ongoing Waqf properties row.
The rally sparked strong opposition from local BJP leaders, prompting the party’s Karnataka unit to distance itself from the event. The state unit subsequently announced the formation of three separate teams to assess the Waqf issue in rural areas.
Despite appeals from the state leadership for the Yatnal faction to align with the party’s official efforts to address the Waqf issue, Yatnal refused to comply. Instead, he launched scathing criticism against former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and his son Vijayendra, accusing them of engaging in “adjustment politics” with the Congress.
Yatnal further escalated the conflict by threatening to release a video allegedly showing Vijayendra obtaining signatures from Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on various documents. In response, Vijayendra dismissed the allegations and challenged Yatnal to release the video without delay.
As Yatnal was not ready to budge and continuing with awareness rally on Waqf, several BJP leaders including former MLA MP Renukacharya demanded the party high command to expel the Bijapur city MLA from the party.
Growing tensions between the factions led by Vijayendra and Yatnal are deepening cracks within the BJP in Karnataka – a party often lauded for its emphasis on discipline, Concerned about the escalating rift and its potential damage to the party’s unity, state MPs sought the help of Union Minister for Home Amit Shah to resolve the infighting within the cadre.
The BJP MPs have brought to the notice of high command about the ongoing factionalism within the cadre. Former Ministers Ramesh Jarkiholi and Aravind Limbavali, former MPs Pratap Simha and GM Siddeshwara and others leaders including former MLA Kumara Bangarappa have been identified in Yatnal’s faction.
According to sources, “BJP’s Karnataka MPs Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi, and V Somanna, Govind Karjol, Iranna B Kadadi, and former Chief Ministers Jagadish Shettar and Basavaraj Bommai met Union Minister Amit Shah in the parliament on 29 November. The BJP parliamentarians appealed to Amit Shah to resolve the ongoing tussle between Vijayendra and Yatnal.”
On condition of anonymity, a BJP MP told South First: “We have brought the ongoing stand-off between two factions, where one is led by Vijayendra and another Yatnal, to Shah. We have detailed everything about this issue to Shah. We have not filed complaint against anyone.”
“We appealed him to intervene and resolve the differences within the cadre in Karnataka. He responded positively and directed us to hold talks with party national president JP Nadda. He further told that he would soon summon both of them and address the issue,” added the BJP MP.
He further stated: “Without a delay, Joshi telephoned Nadda on the matter. The party president was not available to meet as he was occupied with party affairs related to Maharashtra.”
“Joshi narrated in detail about the infight and differences brewing in the state unit. In response, Nadda assured us mitigating at the earliest. We detailed the high command about how this stand-off between two factions is affecting the party’s image,” the BJP MP added that the party high command will look int the ongoing issues.
Another BJP MP, who wished to be unnamed, told South First: “We tried to hold talks with both the factions but Yatnal’s faction is not ready to compromise and join hands with the current state leadership.”
“They have placed various demands, which cannot be discussed on public platforms. We have asked them to highlight their concerns before the high command. This internal fight is damaging the party’s image,” the parliamentarian added that the high command will not allow this to escalate further.
Since his return to BJP in 2018, the BJP’s Central Disciplinary Committee has slapped five show cause notice to the party’s rebel leader and MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal over targeting state party leadership.
In a fresh show cause notice to Yatnal, BJP’s CDC Member Secretary Om Pathak cited “continuing tirade” against the state level party leadership and “defiance” of party directives and making public pronouncements and stance in contravention of party’s official stand on all matters of political and public importance.
“It is also a matter of great concern that despite having been issued show cause notice several times in the past and your (Yatnal) assurances of good conduct, the acts of indiscipline continue unabated,” highlighted Om Pathak.
He further said: “Given your (Yatnal) seniority and long standing in the party, the CDC took a lenient view on the explanations submitted by you in the past. False and veiled allegations levelled by you against the party leaders together with defiance of the official stand of the party on matters of political and public importance, constitute a serious breach of the party discipline.”
Member Secretary Om Pathak claimed that Yatnal breached Article XXV of BJP Party Rules ‘Breach of Discipline’ section (a) and (f). The CDC sought the explanation from Yatnal why the party should not initiate disciplinary action against him in ten days.
It may be noted that since 2018, Yatnal has been slapped with five show cause notices, where most of them were because of targeting former CM BS Yediyurappa and his family. Even the fresh show cause notice highlights Yatnal’s criticism against the state leadership.
Responding to the show cause notice issued by the BJP’s CDC, BJP MLA Yatnal has stated that he would respond to the notice but continue to fight for Hindutva and against corruption and dynasty politics.
In his post on X, MLA Yatnal said: “I will respond to the notice issued by the BJP Disciplinary Committee Chairman, while also presenting the facts regarding the current state of the BJP in Karnataka.”
I will respond to the notice issued by the BJP Disciplinary Committee Chairman, while also presenting the facts regarding the current state of the BJP in Karnataka. My commitment to the fight for Hindutva, opposition to corruption, Waqf-related issues, and dynasty politics will… https://t.co/i1jk9jsmdO
— Basanagouda R Patil (Yatnal) (@BasanagoudaBJP) December 2, 2024
“My commitment to the fight for Hindutva, opposition to corruption, Waqf-related issues, and dynasty politics will remain unwavering,” Yatnal hinted that he will continue to fight against Yediyurappa and his family.
It may also be noted that Yatnal had recently stated that he would not turn up alone before the high command for talks over the ongoing tussle with Vijayendra, instead all the members of his faction would accompany him for further deliberations.
While addressing the awareness rally on Waqf in Bidar and Kalaburgai, Yatnal had continuously targeted Yediyurappa and his family. He had accused Yediyurappa and his son Vijayendra doing “adjustment politics” with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
He also claimed that they will not build a separate team, but soon his faction would get power to distribute party tickets during the elections in Karnataka.
In the backdrop of these statements, Vijayendra not just condemned Yatnal’s harsh remarks but also asked him and his faction to join hands with the party in fighting Waqf issue.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
