Karnataka BJP in Turmoil: Yediyurappa Rallies Behind Son B.Y. Vijayendra as Factional War Erupts

Bengaluru: The battle for supremacy within Karnataka’s BJP has erupted into an all-out war, with B.S. Yediyurappa, the patriarch of the party, stepping into the fray to shield his son, B.Y. Vijayendra, from the raging storm of rebellion within the ranks.

In a dramatic turn of events, the 81-year-old Lingayat strongman, known for his iron grip over the party and its supporters, surprised everyone by attending a crucial meeting in Bengaluru on Friday. The meeting, convened by Vijayendra, brought together former MLAs, MLCs, and party leaders to chart the course for the upcoming February elections that will determine the fate of the embattled Karnataka BJP chief.

As Vijayendra grapples with fierce opposition from within his own party, it is his father’s intervention that is expected to turn the tide in his favor. The infighting has plunged the Karnataka BJP into chaos, with multiple factions now openly challenging Vijayendra’s leadership. And the stakes couldn’t be higher—this battle is not just about power within the state, but the very survival of the party ahead of critical local body elections.

The rebel faction, led by the likes of Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Yatnal and senior leaders such as Ramesh Jarkiholi, Kumar Bangarappa, and B.P. Harish, has been fiercely critical of Vijayendra, pushing for a leadership change and demanding the installation of an OBC leader. With the central leadership failing to rein in the dissent, the rift has only widened, leaving party cadres divided and morale at an all-time low.

Yediyurappa, however, is not one to back down. His presence at the meeting sent a clear message: He is not only rallying behind his son but is also gearing up to counter the growing rebellion within the party. The veteran leader, who wields significant influence over the Lingayat community—one of the largest and most crucial voter blocks in Karnataka—has vowed to go to any length to protect his son’s position and ensure that the BJP remains a formidable force in the state.

Despite Vijayendra’s attempts to downplay the significance of the meeting, calling it merely a strategy session ahead of the local body elections, the reality is undeniable. The party is in the midst of a full-blown factional war, and Vijayendra is fighting not just for his political future but for his very survival as Karnataka BJP president.

In a blunt message to the rebellious leaders, Yediyurappa called for unity within the party and instructed local leaders to rally behind the cause, assuring them that the central leadership is closely monitoring the situation. He also made it clear that any anti-party actions would not be tolerated.

But the rebel camp, emboldened by its numbers, is far from backing down. With senior leaders like Yatnal and Jarkiholi continuing their attacks, organizing separate rallies, and meeting with central leaders in Delhi, the battle for control of Karnataka’s BJP is far from over.

With tensions running high and the party’s future hanging in the balance, one thing is certain: The war for supremacy within Karnataka’s BJP is only getting started. And with Yediyurappa pulling all the strings behind the scenes, it’s a fight that will have significant consequences for both the party and the state’s political landscape.