Karnataka BJP rift: Fighting to cleanse party, not for any position: Yatnal
Bengaluru, Feb 05 (PTI): Amid a factional rift within the party, senior BJP legislator Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, along with a group of party leaders seeking the ouster of B Y Vijayendra from the post of Karnataka unit president, said on Monday that their fight is to cleanse the party, not for any position.
The Bijapur City MLA repeatedly targeted Vijayendra and his father—veteran leader B S Yediyurappa—accusing them of "nepotism" and "corruption".
While leaders from Yatnal's faction, such as Ramesh Jarkiholi (MLA) and Kumar Bangarappa, who are up in arms against Vijayendra, are already in New Delhi to meet high-command leaders regarding their concerns, Yatnal is also expected to travel to the national capital.
According to party sources, Bangarappa met the party's national general secretary (organisation), B L Santosh, while Jarkiholi met Nadda and a few other leaders.
"All national leaders have given us time for a meeting, so don’t worry. Would we go without a plan? Are we mad? Everything will be sorted out if Vijayendra goes," Yatnal told reporters in response to a question.
Noting that three things should be made clear to the high command, he said, "They are keeping the corrupt family away, keeping the BJP away from dynasty politics, and that the BJP doesn't need non-Hindutva leadership.
"We (the party) say no to dynasty politics. I haven't engaged in dynasty politics so far. If he (Vijayendra) is made president once again, I will also demand a position for my son. I will ask that my son, too, be fielded for elections, as there are already three members of the Yediyurappa family in politics, including Shimoga MP B Y Raghavendra," he said.
Vijayendra was appointed as the state BJP president in November 2023. His elevation caused heartburn within the BJP, with several senior leaders repeatedly expressing their disgruntlement over his leadership and style of functioning. The Shikaripura MLA has been unable to douse the fire.
Several leaders, especially Yatnal and 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 control.
Averring that his team's fight is not for any post but to cleanse the party, Yatnal said, "It is to make it as pure as the Ganga. I have no expectations of becoming the state president."
Reiterating their stand on contesting against Vijayendra for the party president post in the ongoing organisational polls, he said, "From our faction, we have decided on candidates for the president's post based on community, such as who should be chosen if the opportunity is given to backward classes, Dalits, or Lingayats. Accordingly, we will proceed. If the opportunity is given to the Lingayat community, I am ready."
On Kumar Bangarappa meeting with the party's national general secretary B L Santosh in Delhi, Yatnal said that they have decided among themselves who should meet which leader, instead of everyone going to one place.
"Almost all the parliament members are with us, except for one or two, like Vijayendra's elder brother (B Y Raghavendra)," he said.
Amid the ongoing organisational polls, Vijayendra expressed confidence on Monday about continuing to helm the state unit. He also hoped for a 'happy ending' in the outcome of the state presidential polls.
Responding to this, Yatnal said today, "Let the election happen. There is democracy; we will not back down. The importance of the election should be understood. Let the election happen, and we will present things to the party workers. Let him (Vijayendra), too."
Yatnal even claimed that Vijayendra, six months ago, had sent a three-member team for negotiations with him, along with an offer to send him to national politics by recommending his name for the party's national general secretary post, but he rejected it.
"Let him (Vijayendra) become national general secretary; he knows English well, I don't know English. Vijayendra had sent three people—N Ravi Kumar, Veeranna Charantimath, and Abhay Patil—to me for negotiations six months ago, offering to recommend my name for the post of party national general secretary. I said, let Vijayendra go, as he knows English well. I know Hindi and Kannada, so I will be here," he added.
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Nicobar Tribal Council Alleges FRA Violations in Great Nicobar Wildlife Sanctuaries
Sri Vijaypuram (Port Blair): The Tribal Council of Little and Great Nicobar has alleged fresh violations of the Forest Rights Act in the notification of three wildlife sanctuaries linked to the Centre’s ₹92,000-crore Great Nicobar Island project, even as the Calcutta High Court is set to hear petitions challenging the mega project over similar concerns next month.
The Union government had, in October 2022, notified three wildlife sanctuaries in parts of Little Nicobar Island, Menchal Island and Meroe Island for the conservation of leatherback turtles, megapodes and coral ecosystems. The move came after the government acknowledged that the proposed infrastructure project on Great Nicobar Island would affect coral colonies and nesting habitats of endangered species.
However, the tribal council has maintained that the sanctuaries were declared without consultation with the Nicobarese communities who traditionally inhabit and manage these islands.
In a letter dated April 23 addressed to the Assistant Conservator of Forests of the Nicobar Forest Division, the council reiterated its opposition to the sanctuaries and objected to the formation of a committee to determine eco-sensitive zones around the protected areas.
The council said its chairman had not been consulted before being included in the committee and was informed of his membership only a month after the committee was constituted.
The three notified sanctuaries include the Leatherback Turtle Sanctuary in parts of Little Nicobar Island, the Megapode Sanctuary covering the entire Menchal Island and the Coral Sanctuary spanning the whole of Meroe Island.
According to the council, Menchal and Meroe islands hold deep cultural and spiritual significance for the Nicobarese community, which believes the islands are inhabited by the spirits of their ancestors.
The council demanded that the sanctuary notifications be revoked and the eco-sensitive zone committee dissolved, alleging that both decisions were taken against the wishes of the indigenous community.
Meanwhile, Jairam Ramesh has written to Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram alleging violations of the Forest Rights Act in the process of obtaining consent for diversion of forest land for the Great Nicobar project.
Ramesh argued that consent should have been obtained through the Tribal Council representing the Nicobarese communities instead of through Gram Sabhas representing settler families. He also questioned how the government-controlled Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti could provide consent on behalf of the Shompen community, classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group.
He urged the Tribal Affairs Ministry to intervene and seek withdrawal of clearances granted for the project under the Forest Rights Act.
Earlier, Ramesh had also written to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav alleging that environmental impact studies for the project were conducted in haste and without the detailed seasonal assessments mandated under environmental laws.
The dispute dates back to 2022 when the Andaman and Nicobar administration initiated the process for notifying the three sanctuaries before holding Special Gram Sabhas for diversion of forest land linked to the Great Nicobar project.
In May that year, the administration invited objections and claims regarding the proposed sanctuaries. Subsequently, on July 19, the Nicobar Deputy Commissioner certified that no objections or claims had been received.
The tribal council later wrote to the district administration stating that the notification process was carried out without ensuring that residents of Little Nicobar Island were informed as required by law. It alleged that no public announcements seeking objections were made in villages such as Bahua, Muhincoihn and Kiyang, whose residents traditionally use and manage parts of the notified areas.
The council said the Nicobarese community had protected the islands and wildlife for generations through customary practices and traditional belief systems.
It further argued that the sanctuaries would interfere with long-standing rights over forests and coastal areas. They noted that these areas are used for rituals, plantations, collection of forest produce, construction of huts and canoes, harvesting medicinal plants and worship.
In November 2024, the council objected to draft Island Coastal Regulation Zone plans, demanding basic infrastructure, instead of proposed eco-tourism activities in the sanctuaries. The council demanded better public restrooms, jetties, water facilities, pathways, and mobile connectivity.
The Nicobar administration issued a clarification in May 2025, stating that the sanctuaries would not affect hunting rights available to Scheduled Tribes in the Nicobar Islands. The council, however, rejected the clarification, stating that their dependence on forests and coasts extended far beyond hunting activities.
Earlier this month, a Bench led by the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court dismissed preliminary objections raised by the Union government against petitions challenging the diversion of forest land for the Great Nicobar project. The matter has now been listed for final hearing in June.
