Karnataka: Rebel trouble haunts BJP in fight against Congress, Siddaramaiah

The BJP may be aggressively demanding the resignation of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on corruption charges, but the party is itself caught in an ugly internal war that threatens to undo its anti-Congress campaign.

At the heart of it all is a stringing charge by BJP leader Basanagouda Patil Yatnal that a “great leader” of his party has set aside a whopping Rs 1,000 crore to topple the Congress government in Karnataka.

Yatnal, however, refused to name the “great leader” while making the allegation at Davanagere recently. Yatnal’s remarks have seriously embarrassed the BJP at a time when it is accusing the Congress government and its leaders of wrongdoing.

Vocal aggression

As if this wasn’t enough, Yatnal publicly alleged that a few aspiring leaders “who have set their eyes on the chief minister’s chair” were preparing to buy Congress legislators “backed by funds accumulated through corruption”.

Also read: Karnataka: Why revolt by senior BJP leaders may derail party’s attempt to take on Cong govt

Promptly, the Karnataka Congress registered a case with the police against Yatnal, who has been a long-standing rabble rouser and is seen as one of those who hate state BJP president BY Vijayendra, son of former BJP chief minister BS Yediyurappa.

The other BJP rebels who are active include Ramesh Jarkiholi, Pratap Simha, Kumar Bangarappa and GM Siddeshwar.

More rebels

“Undoubtedly it is Yatnal who is throwing a spanner in the works of the BJP, which is leaving no stone unturned to unseat Siddaramaiah,” a senior BJP leader told The Federal on the condition of anonymity.

His comment reflected a desperation within the BJP over recent developments and growing dissidence in the state’s main opposition party.

This is not the first time Yatnal has slapped his own party.

Anger in BJP

Last year, he accused the earlier BJP government in Karnataka led by Yediyurappa of being involved in a Rs 40,000-crore scam during the COVID-19 pandemic.

But his recent utterances have sparked anger in the BJP, with some demanding that he be booted out.

Some believe that Yatnal’s remarks undermine the BJP’s credibility and its efforts to hold the Congress government accountable on charges of corruption.

Also read: RSS fails to mend Karnataka BJP rift, may ask party bosses to step in

Yatnal accused of treachery

Former minister MP Renukacharya, a vocal critic of Yatnal, accused him of diverting the attention from the fight against Siddaramaiah. “He is acting like a Congress agent by standing up for Siddaramaiah.”

Others in the BJP feel that Yatnal’s outbursts might inadvertently aid the Congress government by creating confusion within the party’s rank and file.

Union Minister Prahlad Joshi said: “Yatnal is speaking continuously against the party’s policies. Our central leaders have taken note of his remarks.”

Churnings in state BJP

BJP MP Kota Srinivasa Poojary added: “It is not right on the part of Yatnal to speak against state president Vijayendra, who has been appointed by the party high command.”

Another BJP leader who too did not want to be named said, “The call for Yatnal’s expulsion exposes the broader struggle within the BJP to maintain its integrity and cohesion. BJP leaders are navigating in turbulent waters.”

Eye on Hindu votes

Yatnal has been in the news for other reasons too.

He recently outlined a plan to consolidate Hindu votes in Karnataka. It was speculated that he may join hands with expelled BJP leader KS Eshwarappa to form a group to consolidate Lingayat and Kuruba votes.

Also read: Karnataka: Vijayendra faces dissent as BJP hits crisis mode again Yatnal did not discount the fact that Eshwarappa, a staunch Hindutva leader would agree with a plan to secure the loyalty of the Hindu community. “We will come out with a plan soon,” he said.

In September, another BJP rebel leader, Ramesh Jarkiholi, claimed that state party chief Vijayendra was involved in corruption.

Voices against Vijayendra

Stressing the need for a collective leadership, Jarkiholi said: “We have never accepted Vijayendra’s leadership and won’t accept it in future. He is our party’s corrupt leader. We are against him.”

Meanwhile, BJP rebels have met thrice in the last three months demanding the exit of Vijayendra and R Ashok, who heads the BJP in the Karnataka Assembly.

‘Revolution’ in BJP?

“Over 40 legislators who assembled at Davanagere have complained to the party brass about Vijayendra’s style of functioning… We hope the party high command will take suitable decisions,” Yatnal said on Sunday.

And as if to indicate he is aware of what is likely to happen, Yatnal insisted that there “will be a political revolution in Karnataka by the end of this year”.

Vijayendra will be completing his first year as the state BJP president by November end. “Yatnal might be indicating a change of state party president and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly,” said another senior leader.

BJP in a bind

Already, Ashok is facing the charge of illegally obtaining a Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) land and returning it after the Lokayukta filed a case.

All this is happening at a time when the state is gearing up bypolls to three Assembly seats. The BJP does not want to inflict self-injury at a time when it should be unitedly taking on the ruling Congress party.