The BJP’s old warhorse in Karnataka seems to be fighting his final battle. Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, 78, is on a sticky wicket as the rift between him and the party’s central leadership is becoming evident. The saffron party looks like it is planning a graceful exit for the Lingayat strongman, who is its tallest leader in the state. For the party, which is preparing for a southern surge, Karnataka will be a crucial anchor and strong leadership in the state is vital. The last year has seen dissent and resentment brewing within its ranks. The BJP’s image has also been affected by poor governance and allegations of corruption.
In March 2020, an unsigned letter doing the rounds, calling for the chief minister’s replacement. It was the second anonymous letter in a month seeking a change in leadership, which exposed the brewing factionalism within the Karnataka BJP. The letter heaped praise on Yediyurappa, but also expressed concern over his age and health, and sought an “honourable exit” for him. The letter also dubbed the chief minister’s younger son B.Y. Vijayendra, 44, BJP state vice president, as the “super CM”. Senior party leaders felt side-lined after Yediyurappa inducted turncoats into the cabinet to “reward” them for helping install the BJP government following the political coup which toppled the Janata Dal (Secular)-Congress coalition government in July 2019. The voices demanding a change in leadership have only grown louder ever since. Now, Yediyurappa finds himself isolated within the party. It is said that his coterie, too, has been alienated owing to Vijayendra’s growing clout within the party and the government.
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