Vibha Sharma
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, June 18

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddiyurappa is no stranger to controversies and allegations. In 2011, he was forced to resign as CM and also spend time in prison after being indicted in a scam, though later he was acquitted of all charges. But as he battles yet another bout of dissent and charges of corruption, this time this fight could be the toughest ever.

While state BJP chief Nalin Kumar Kateel has again ruled out the possibility of a leadership change, senior Minister KS Eshwarappa was quoted as saying that a section believes Yediyurappa should be replaced. All this while general secretary in-charge Arun Singh is visiting the state, his second visit in the past 10 days amid speculations about a leadership change.  

Singh has ruled out any discussions on the change of leadership and asked also leaders to refrain from commenting on the party affairs in open after an MLC and some others levelled allegations against the CM. H Vishwanath, a member of the state legislative council (MLC), said everyone respects the leadership and contribution of Yeddiyurappa but he does not have the “spirit and strength to run the government because of the age and health factor”.

“All ministers are unhappy with the Yediyurappa government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is constantly telling us dynastic rule is dangerous. What is going on in Karnataka is the same thing,” he was quoted as saying.  

Amid open dissent, corruption charges, and demand to remove the 78-year-old BJP stalwart, sources say Singh is “assessing the extent of the crisis/damage in the state unit” and will present his report to the central leadership.   

Notably, much of the anger against the CM stems from alleged interference in administration by his son, BY Vijayendra, who has termed the charges “politically motivated”.

A section believes he is hurting the party’s chances of expanding and grooming new faces. While Yediyurappa is batting for his son, the BJP, which has made dynasty politics the centrepiece of its politics against Congress, may not be conducive to the idea of promoting him despite the all-powerful Lingayat community backing.

Sources say the BJP leadership understands that continued restiveness may damage its prospects in the 2023 elections but to remove Yeddiyurappa is not so easy even though he has already passed the unofficial 75-year age policy for ministers.  

Credited with the first-ever saffron government in the south, the BJP stalwart belongs to the Lingayat community which accounts for 17 per cent of the state population. He also enjoys strong links with RSS and any attempt to antagonise him may jeopardise the party. 

In 2012, he split the state unit and formed the Karnataka Janata Paksha (KJP). Though KJP won only six seats in 2013 elections, Yeddiyurappa managed to get a vote share of 9.8 per cent and restrict BJP to 40 seats in the 224-member Assembly.