New Opposition leader in a week, Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra says as Congress takes a dig at ‘dynasty politics’

He further said, “I have been selected as the BJP state president. I thank the party leadership. Because of the efforts of several leaders including BS Yediyurappa and lakhs of workers, the BJP has grown to this height in Karnataka.”

“With the trust and faith of our central leadership and state leaders, under their guidance, I will travel across the state and work for further strengthening the party,” Vijayendra said.

Vijayendra is the younger son of veteran BJP leader and former Karnataka chief minister Yediyurappa.

The 47-year-old, who is a first-time MLA from Shikaripura in Shivamogga district, replaced Nalin Kumar Kateel, a three-time Lok Sabha member from Dakshina Kannada, as the party’s state chief.

Kateel had completed his three-year term as Karnataka BJP president and was given an extension last year ahead of the assembly elections held in May.

Dynasty politics

Vijayendra met Yediyurappa at his residence soon after his appointment was announced and sought his father’s blessings.

Asked whether his appointment was an acknowledgement of his leadership or an attempt to “pacify” Yediyurappa, Vijayendra said that BJP national president JP Nadda has given him this opportunity in consultation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national general secretary (Organisation) BL Santosh. “They have blessed me as a ‘karyakarta’ to lead the party by taking everyone together.”

To a question whether the post was given to him because of the strength behind him or the name Yediyurappa next to his name, Vijayendra said, “I’m proud that I’m Yediyurappa’s son, but I don’t think the BJP central leadership have given me the president’s post just because I’m Yediyurappa’s son.”

Taking a swipe at the BJP accusing it of “dynasty politics,” the Congress in Karnataka said on X: “Congratulations to the son of Yediyurappa, who has been elected as the new state president of BJP on the merit of him being Yediyurappa’s son.”

“ಯಡಿಯೂರಪ್ಪನವರ ಮಗ” ಎಂಬ ಅರ್ಹತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬಿಜೆಪಿಯ ನೂತನ ರಾಜ್ಯಾಧ್ಯಕ್ಷರಾಗಿ ಆಯ್ಕೆಯಾದ “ಯಡಿಯೂರಪ್ಪನವರ ಮಗ”ನಿಗೆ ಅಭಿನಂದನೆಗಳು..

“ಬಿಜೆಪಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಟುಂಬ ರಾಜಕಾರಣವಿಲ್ಲ” ಎಂಬ ಸುಳ್ಳನ್ನು ನಂಬಬೇಕು ಎಂದು ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಜನರಲ್ಲಿ ಮನವಿ ಮಾಡುತ್ತೇವೆ!

— Karnataka Congress (@INCKarnataka) November 10, 2023

Goal ahead: 2024 LS polls

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he said the only goal ahead of the party is winning the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

“At a time when the whole world is looking at India and is looking at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, it’s our duty to organise the party and ensure victory of maximum number of parliamentarians from Karnataka, to strengthen Modi’s hands. I’m confident that we will be successful in it,” he added.

With the upcoming Lok Sabha polls the big challenge before him, he said, “Whatever may be the challenge, people of the country and the state have huge trust in PM Modi. So we will together face that challenge and win maximum seats.”

Also Read: BS Yediyurappa’s son BY Vijayendra as Karnataka unit chief

‘Will organise the party’

Stating that he has been given a good opportunity, he said he would organise the party under the guidance of leaders like Yediyurappa, KS Eshwarappa, Govind Karjol, Basavaraj Bommai, Basangouda Patil Yatnal, V Somanna, and R Ashoka, among others.

Questioned how he would placate those who were unhappy and others who were aspirants for the state party chief post, he said, “The opportunity is huge, I have to take everyone together. There is nothing personal here. Party organisation and winning Lok Sabha polls is the only goal.”

Regarding the appointment of the leader of the opposition to the state assembly, Vijayendra said he had discussed it with Nadda when he called him to seek his blessings.

He further said the election of the leader of the opposition will be held next Friday, by calling a Legislature Party meeting and seeking everyone’s opinion.

“Central observers will come from Delhi for this,” he said.

Replying to a question, Vijayendra said that everyone, including those who are considering quitting the party, will be taken into confidence. “We will work with unity,” he said.

Also read: BJP veteran BS Yediyurappa recalls political journey

Allies congratulate

The leadership of BJP’s new alliance partner in Karnataka—JD(S)— was among the political leaders who congratulated BY Vijayendra on his appointment as the new president of the saffron party’s state unit.

JD(S) patriarch and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and its state President HD Kumaraswamy congratulated Vijayendra over the phone, his office said in a statement.

“Already active in the (BJP) organisation as a young leader, he has been given a huge responsibility at a young age. I am confident that he will be able to handle this onerous responsibility entrusted to him. I wish Mr Vijayendra all the best,” Kumaraswamy posted on X.

ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಬಿಜೆಪಿ ಪಕ್ಷದ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷರಾಗಿ ನೇಮಕಗೊಂಡಿರುವ ಶಾಸಕ ಶ್ರೀ ಬಿ.ವೈ.ವಿಜಯೇಂದ್ರ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಹೃತ್ಪೂರ್ವಕ ಅಭಿನಂದನೆಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು.

ಯುವನಾಯಕರಾಗಿ ಸಂಘಟನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಈಗಾಗಲೇ ಕ್ರಿಯಾಶೀಲರಾಗಿರುವ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಕಿರಿಯ ವಯಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಬಹುದೊಡ್ಡ ಜವಾಬ್ದಾರಿ ಅರಸಿ ಬಂದಿದೆ. ತಮಗೆ ವಹಿಸಿರುವ ಈ ಗುರುತರ ಹೊಣೆಯನ್ನು ಅವರು ಸಮರ್ಥವಾಗಿ… pic.twitter.com/hWpAsxpHle

— ಹೆಚ್.ಡಿ.ಕುಮಾರಸ್ವಾಮಿ | H.D.Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) November 10, 2023

The JD(S) and BJP in September had announced an alliance, and the former joined the NDA, following a meeting of Kumaraswamy with Home Minister Shah and BJP national president Nadda in New Delhi.

The two parties are yet to formalise details of the alliance, including seat sharing for the Lok Sabha polls, in which Vijayendra is likely to play a crucial role.

Also read: BSY takes the lead to rebuild Karnataka BJP after poll debacle

Central leaders congratulate

Nadda, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajeev Chandrasekhar were among the prominent leaders who congratulated Vijayendra over the phone.

Former chief minister and veteran leader SM Krishna and BL Santosh conveyed best wishes to him over the telephone, according to his office.

Kateel, speaking to reporters in Mangaluru, called Vijayendra an “organisation man” who rose in the party from being a normal ‘karyakarta’, and his appointment has brought a fresh vigour into the party.

He said under Vijayendra, the party will be strengthened unitedly from the booth level and the BJP will fight against the Congress’ misrule.

Speaking about his four-and-half-year tenure as party president, Kateel said he travelled across the state 18 times and effectively built the party organisation from the page and booth level and had effectively fought several elections.

“Yes, we lost the recent Assembly polls, but I’m satisfied that I have been able to build the organisation to the best of my ability,” he said, as he thanked the party leadership and seniors for it.

Also read: Amit Shah puts BY Vijayendra-baiters in BJP on backfoot

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