Rift in Karnataka BJP: Vijayendra confident of retaining post, Yatnal pushes further for change
Bengaluru: In the wake of growing divisions within the Karnataka BJP, state president B.Y. Vijayendra has expressed confidence in retaining his position, while senior leader Basanagouda Patil Yatnal has strongly opposed his leadership. Yatnal has vowed to fight for a change in the state leadership, declaring that he is ready to go to any extent to achieve it.
On Friday, leaders supporting Yatnal gathered at the residence of former minister Kumar Bangarappa in Sadashivanagar to discuss their strategy. The meeting was attended by former minister Ramesh Jarkiholi, former MLAs B.P. Harish and Holalkere Chandrappa, former MPs B.V. Nayak and G.M. Siddeshwar, and others. Their primary agenda was to push for a change in the BJP’s state leadership.
Sources indicate that if the BJP high command decides to elect a new state president through an internal election, the Yatnal faction is considering fielding its own candidate. A delegation from the group is expected to visit Delhi soon to finalize their strategy.
After the meeting, Yatnal told reporters that he is fully prepared to take on the role of BJP state president. He claimed that a neutral group within the party is shifting its loyalty toward his camp, and those trying to save the party are gaining strength. He made it clear that his faction would not accept Vijayendra’s leadership under any circumstances.
“We have not yet decided on the final candidate to challenge him, but this dictatorship must end. We are ready for a fight—do or die,” Yatnal said. He also accused Vijayendra of corruption, recalling how he had previously led a padayatra demanding the Chief Minister’s resignation over the MUDA scam, only to be countered by Siddaramaiah’s camp.
Meanwhile, former minister Arvind Limbavali met BJP national president J.P. Nadda in Delhi and submitted a report related to the Waqf board. He is also believed to have discussed the ongoing political turmoil in the Karnataka BJP.
Despite the opposition, Vijayendra remains confident about his position. Speaking in Kalaburagi, he confirmed his decision to contest for the post again and acknowledged that internal challenges were inevitable in a political party. He admitted that winning over senior leaders was not always easy and that he might have some shortcomings. However, he assured that once the election process for the state president is completed, all differences within the party would be addressed.
Vijayendra emphasized the need to unite all communities and said that party workers were unhappy with the current situation. He mentioned that district presidents would be appointed first, followed by the state unit president's election. He reiterated that he was determined to continue as the BJP state president.
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RCB beat MI by 18 runs after batters fire
Mumbai (PTI): Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli blasted half-centuries as the defending champions beat Mumbai Indians by 18 runs in an Indian Premier League match here on Sunday.
Salt (78 off 36 balls) and Kohli (50 off 38 balls) stitched together a 120-run stand for the opening wicket before Patidar scored a rapid 53 off just 20 balls as RCB posted 240 for 4.
In response, Mumbai Indians were restricted to 222 for 5, with RCB spinner Suyash Sharma (2/47) putting the skids on the home side with a double strike in the eighth over, from which they could not recover.
Sherfane Rutherford top-scored for MI with an unbeaten 71 off 31 balls.
While opener Rohit Sharma appeared to be struggling with a hamstring issue and had to retire hurt on 19, his partner Ryan Rickelton made 37, while Suryakumar Yadav (33) and Hardik Pandya (40) were the other contributors for MI.
Brief scores:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 240 for 4 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 78, Virat Kohli 50, Rajat Patidar 53, Tim David 35 not out).
Mumbai Indians: 222 for 5 in 20 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 71 not out, Ryan Rickelton 37, Hardik Pandya 40; Suyash Sharma 2/47).
