Bengaluru, Feb 6 (PTI): Amid factional rift within the state unit, Karnataka BJP president B Y Vijayendra on Thursday expressed displeasure about senior leaders in the party not stopping a section of leaders, who were making "humiliating" comments against his father and veteran leader B S Yediyurappa, and called it "unfortunate".
His statement seems to be directed at several senior party leaders, who are seen as "neutral", and not part of any faction in the party.
The factional rift within the party has come out into the open, with a group of leaders opposing Vijayendra publicly making allegations against him and demanding his removal, while another faction supporting him, have called for the expulsion of those openly expressing discontent and thereby causing damage to the party.
"The state president election or selection process may happen any moment. There are indications that the whole process will be completed by February 20. I have observed the statements being made by some leaders, due to some reasons I have not reacted to them as it may cause embarrassment to the party and the workers," Vijayendra told reporters here.
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Stating that he is not bothered by what others, especially seniors in the party are speaking against him, he said, "But, it is unfortunate that low level language is being used against Yediyurppa, a leader who has built this party. And sitting quiet looking at all of this is also a sin."
Noting that for the last one year Yediyurappa is being continuously humiliated and disrespected, Vijayendra said, whoever may be making statements against him, but it is unfortunate that no one tried to stop them, by saying that it is wrong.
"I request the seniors in the party to at least now try to stop those making statements against Yediyurappa. Let those having issues share them with high command. But making such statements is not right, I'm saying this publicly," he said, adding, "I'm pained both as president and Yediyurappa's son that leaders who are neutral and others are not stopping those commenting against the veteran leader."
Vijayendra was appointed as the state BJP president in November 2023. His elevation caused heartburn in the BJP with several senior leaders repeatedly expressing their disgruntlement against his leadership and his style of functioning, and the Shikaripura MLA has been unable to douse the fire.
Several leaders, especially Bijapur City MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and Gokak MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi have been openly critical of Vijayendra, accusing him of indulging in "adjustment politics" with the ruling Congress. They have also criticised him and his father -- Yediyurappa -- for trying to keep the party under their clutches.
Pointing out that he is repeatedly being accused of making unilateral decisions and not taking along seniors, the state BJP chief said attempts are on by some to place him in a "culprit" position.
"I don't know how many seniors are satisfied with my work, but I'm clear that workers are satisfied. I'm very clear that as the state president, I have never conducted myself in a way that may insult or cause disrespect to them," he said, adding that workers are pained by open statements being made.
To a question as to why the high command is silent on the developments, Vijayendra said, in a week or ten days they will make their stand clear.
"There is a feeling among some that the high command is supporting them (Yatnal faction), Santosh ji (BJP national general secretary) is supporting them. All of this is far from the truth. There is no chance of any Delhi leader of the party supporting them. Some workers feel that leadership should have taken some action, we will get answers in eight to ten days. There will be a happy ending," he said.
Responding to a question, Vijayendra said, he knew that there will be differences of opinion in politics, but never knew it would be to this level.
He also rejected allegations of "adjustment politics" against him, pointing out various agitations that were held to corner the Congress government.
Reacting to senior party leader and former minister B Sriramulu's statement that Vijayendra lacks experience, the state BJP chief said, he might not be as experienced as the former, but said he has worked for the party for last 18-20 years as a worker, secretary, state youth wing general secretary, and state vice president of the party, and workers have recognised him, and are satisfied with his work.
Stating that some party leaders have their own opinion against him, and he won't say that they are wrong, Vijayendra said, the BJP is a national party and it is the national leadership's decision to make him the president, considering the opinion of the workers towards him.
"More than who has how much experience, I'm satisfied with my work and the party workers are too satisfied with me," he said.
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Jammu, May 12 (PTI): Security forces are engaging suspected drones observed along the International Border in Samba district of Jammu region on Monday, an Army said.
This fresh incident of drone activity along the borderline comes barely hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first address to the nation following Operation Sindoor and the meeting of the DGMOs of India and Pakistan.
The Army, however, said there is no need to be alarmed.
“A small number of suspected drones have been observed near Samba in J&K. They are being engaged,” it said.
In the backdrop of the situation, several areas witnessed blackouts in Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, and Jammu.
Lights were switched off at the cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi and along its track as a precautionary measure, sources said.
On Monday, talks between the DGMOs were held during which issues related to the continuing commitment that both sides must not fire a single shot or initiate any aggressive or inimical action against each other were discussed, the Indian Army said.
It was also agreed that both sides would consider immediate measures to ensure troop reduction along the borders and in forward areas, it added.
The situation remained largely peaceful across Jammu and Kashmir, with no incidents of ceasefire violation reported along the Indo-Pak border Sunday overnight — marking the first calm night after 18 days of hostilities following the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 people — mostly tourists — dead.
India and Pakistan on Saturday reached an understanding to cease all firing and military actions on land, air, and sea with immediate effect, following four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes that brought the two countries to the brink of full-scale war.
Eighteen days of intense hostilities following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, which brought India and Pakistan to the brink of war, ended with a ceasefire that restored calm along the Line of Control, the International Border, and the hinterland in Jammu and Kashmir. The Army thwarted Pakistan’s Hamas-style kamikaze drone attacks during the escalation.
Since the night of April 24, hours after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistani troops repeatedly targeted Indian positions along the LoC — beginning in the Kashmir Valley and quickly expanding to the Jammu region.
The latest hostilities began in the northern districts of Kupwara and Baramulla in the Kashmir Valley, before spreading southwards to Rajouri, Poonch, Akhnoor, and the Pargwal sector along the International Border in Jammu district. The firing affected five border districts — Baramulla, Kupwara, Poonch, Rajouri, and Jammu.
The recent round of cross-border firing further undermined the ceasefire agreement reached in February 2021, which has largely been seen as ineffective due to Pakistan’s frequent violations along the 740-km-long LoC.
The April 22 terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people — mostly tourists — in Pahalgam’s Baisaran valley, triggered a strong response from the central government.
The India-Pakistan border stretches over 3,300 kilometers, divided into three segments: the International Border (IB), spanning about 2,400 km from Gujarat to Akhnoor in Jammu; the 740-km-long Line of Control (LoC) that divides Jammu and Kashmir; and the 110-km-long Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL), which separates the Siachen Glacier region.
WATCH: OP Sindoor continues. Minutes after PM Speech.
— Rahul Shivshankar (@RShivshankar) May 12, 2025
A small numbers of suspected drones being observed near Samba in J&K. Being engaged . pic.twitter.com/jmGmRkmQ26