Election observer Chouhan touches down as feud in BJP intensifies | Bengaluru News

Bengaluru: Factional tensions escalated sharply in Karnataka BJP over the fate of state president BY Vijayendra even as Union minister Shivaraj Singh Chouhan, who has been deputed to oversee elections to the top post, touched down in Bengaluru on Wednesday. Chouhan, who made a stopover on his way to Puttaparthi, was received by a delegation led by Vijayendra. He held discussions with Vijayendra and his camp and, later, with the rebel group that wants Vijayendra removed. He is likely to return to Bengaluru on Thursday.The rift in the party deepened Tuesday during an event in Davanagere to celebrate the birthday of former MP GM Siddeshwar. Dissidents turned the bash into a display of strength by launching open attacks on Vijayendra and his father and former chief minister BS Yediyurappa, accusing them of sidelining loyal party workers.Former minister Aravind Limbavali even questioned Yediyurappa’s loyalty to BJP, citing his breakaway move in 2013. Siddeshwar, who claimed he was instrumental in making Yediyurappa chief minister in 2008, said: “Vested interests are labelling us as rebels, but we are true loyalists of the party, not rebels. We never tried to launch a political party against BJP. Now, we want to strengthen the party with a credible and loyal face at the helm.”Limbavali added, “We have told national brass what we wanted to say regarding the state president. It is up to the high command to take a call.”The tussle has also spilled into OBC leadership within the party. Functionaries like V Sunil Kumar and Doddana Gouda Patil are spearheading community meetings across the state on the pretext of raising awareness about the Centre’s caste census. However, others in the party see this as a parallel mobilisation aimed at building pressure against the Vijayendra camp.Patil, who led an OBC meeting in Hubballi Wednesday, denied this, saying: “What we are doing is preparing OBC community members for the caste census so that they can make the best use of it to secure much-needed social justice. As for the election of state president, we hope the process is completed quickly.”The delay in deciding the new state president has raised concerns within the party, especially since Karnataka is one of only three states — along with Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat —where presidential polls are due. Polls in states are a prerequisite to elect the next BJP national president.“The delay is getting inordinate with infighting adding to the confusion,” said N Ravikumar, BJP chief whip in the legislative council. “The concern is that we may miss an opportunity to pose a challenge to Congress given its misrule and corruption.”Despite the turmoil, Vijayendra’s supporters are supremely confident. “Those who are talking against Yediyurappa in public are frustrated souls,” said Sharanu Salagar, Basavakalyan MLA. “They are spreading lies on the possibility of Vijayendra being replaced. The fact is that the high command is appreciative of Vijayendra’s performance. It is certain that he will continue as president.”