BY Vijayendra said he will not take the statements of the party leaders negatively and, as state president, he will take everyone into confidence.
Published Nov 23, 2023 | 7:13 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 23, 2023 | 7:13 PM
BY Vijayendra and R Ashoka. (X)
Amid rising dissent in the Karnataka unit of the BJP over the appointment of its state president and that of R Ashoka as Leader of Opposition, state chief BY Vijayendra on Thursday, 23 November, said that he is trying to win the trust of everyone and address “minor issues” amongst some leaders.
His statement came after former Ministers V Somanna and Aravind Limbavali and MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal made no secret of their displeasure over the choice of Vijayendra and Ashoka.
The BJP made the two appointments earlier this month, six months after the Assembly elections in which it was routed.
Vijayendra, son of BJP veteran BS Yediyurappa, met MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi on Thursday, who is also reportedly sulking, at the latter’s residence and held discussions.
Addressing reporters later, Vijayendra said he will take the statement of the Gokak MLA seriously. “There are small issues, which I discussed with him in a manner to make him content. I hope he was happy with the discussion”.
He said he will not take the statements of the party leaders “negatively” and, as state president, will take everyone into confidence.
The BJP chief said Jarkiholi told him to work together to win maximum seats for BJP in the next Lok Sabha elections.
Jarkiholi said his aim is to strengthen the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for which he will work with a missionary zeal to strengthen the party and instill enthusiasm in the activists.
“I will do my duty by winning 28 out of 28 seats (in Karnataka) in the Lok Sabha elections,” Vijayendra asserted.
Jarkiholi told reporters that the lone aim is to win maximum seats for the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections next year as his “dissatisfaction is an old issue”.
Meanwhile, former Housing Minister V Somanna said he will reveal his “future course of action” after December.
Amid some speculations that he is set to join the Congress, he said, “Seniors have told me not to speak up till 6 December.”
After losing the Assembly election from two Constituencies including Varuna in Mysuru where Chief Minister Siddaramaiah won, Somanna was aspiring for the state president’s post.
Apparently dejected after he was overlooked, he said, “Politics is not a drama company and not restricted to a family or secret pacts.”
He also ruled out any attempts being made by Yediyurappa to “pacify” him. Meanwhile, Yediyurappa told reporters that he would meet Somanna.
“I will meet Somanna and will take him along. He is a good organiser. We will use him to strengthen our party,” the BJP stalwart said.
Striking a discordant note, Limbavali told media on Wednesday in Belagavi that some people rise due to “adjustment”.
“This is an era of adjustment — be it opposition leader or the party state president,” he added.
In reacting to apparent dissent within a section of the party over the appointments, Ashoka said things will be set right in a week.
“Somanna is a senior leader. Our seniors in the party are talking to him. Today only our party state president met Ramesh Jarkiholi at his residence. One after another things are getting cleared in a week,” Ashoka said.
Earlier, Vijayendra said that senior party MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, who is upset, will be taken into confidence.
He said that everyone in the party has the freedom to express their opinion and that the BJP’s central leadership and seniors in the state unit will discuss and find a solution to all issues internally.
During the appointment of Leader of Opposition, on 18 November, Yatnal publicly expressed dissent against BJP turning into a “one family party”.
Speaking to reporters in Mandya, he said, “I’m not denying that Yatnal might have made certain statements out of pain. He might have shared certain issues, but our central leadership and seniors in the state will discuss and will try to find an answer. We will take him into confidence.”
Yatnal had said, “The Karnataka BJP should not confine itself to one family. I, the BJP workers, and Hindutva workers will not agree to it. The high command should not take such a decision by listening to certain people.”
“I am not afraid of anyone or blackmail. I will always stand for the truth. I will speak strongly and I won’t compromise with anyone. I have detailed everything about the adjustment politics. I have exposed them,” said Yatnal.
“It is impossible to buy me. One agent came to buy me on Thursday. I told him clearly that I had the power to purchase 10 people like him. There are some people who do such heinous things,” he fumed.
He also stressed the appointment of LoPs from North Karnataka. “I have said that there is no compromise in this regard. Why will they not give it? Should all posts be given to (leaders from) South Karnataka?” he asked.
Yatnal pointed out, “There are BJP MPs from Bidar to Raichur because the people of North Karnataka voted for them. The people will decide. We will decide there. I will not keep quiet. It is not my nature to fold hands and say ‘Ji Huzur‘.”
(With PTI inputs)
