Factionalism deepens as Vijayendra loyalists seek to stop Yatnal’s tour

Bengaluru: The rift within Karnataka BJP intensified Wednesday with a group of former MLAs loyal to party state president BY Vijayendra calling for disciplinary action against senior legislator Basanagouda Patil Yatnal over his planned state tour over the waqf issue. The group said Yatnal's activities were undermining Vijayendra's leadership and violate party discipline.Led by former minister MP Renukacharya, 17 former legislators met at the residence of senior BJP functionary Katta Subramanya Naidu and resolved to take the matter to the party's high command. They also demanded Yatnal's tour, slated to begin from Bidar on Nov 25, be halted. The tour, aimed at spreading awareness among farmers over alleged waqf land encroachments, has sparked tension within party ranks."We met today to convey our concerns to the high command. Since Vijayendra is the president of the party, any protest or awareness drive against the Waqf Board should be conducted under his leadership. A separate tour or protest will send the wrong message to the public," Renukacharya said.He said the group planned to meet national BJP leaders in Delhi and press for their intervention. Renukacharya also accused Yatnal of creating confusion among party workers and tarnishing the party's image. "Yatnal's state tour does not have the approval of the party high command," he asserted.Former minister BC Patil echoed the sentiment, urging Yatnal to abandon the tour and align with Vijayendra. "Yatnal is a senior politician and should not indulge in such divisive activities," Patil said.The growing discord between Yatnal and Vijayendra stems from the former's unilateral decision to organise a state tour, leaving Vijayendra sidelined. Vijayendra responded by announcing a separate tour comprising three teams, but his camp remains apprehensive about Yatnal's move undermining his position.A senior BJP functionary said, "Yatnal's tour is a direct challenge to Vijayendra's leadership. If it garners substantial support, it could weaken Vijayendra's grip over the party."Sources revealed that Vijayendra is actively seeking the intervention of BJP national president JP Nadda and Union home Minister Amit Shah to resolve the issue. He is also reportedly planning a visit to Delhi to escalate the matter.Despite efforts to project unity, the rift highlights growing factionalism within the Karnataka BJP. The outcome is likely to have significant implications for the party's organisational stability and leadership dynamics and the impact would only be greater should BJP fare poorly in the bypolls, results of which are due on Saturday.Yatnal has been feuding with Vijayendra ever since he was elevated to state president last year. Vijayendra is a first-time MLA and Yatnal believes he was elevated only because he is the son of former chief minister BS Yediyurappa.
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