Karnataka assembly elections: In U-turn, BS Yediyurappa says son won’t contest from Varuna

BENGALURU: In a turnaround, former chief minister BS Yediyurappa on Friday ruled out his son, BY Vijayendra, also a state party vice-president, from contesting the May 10 assembly elections from Varuna segment in Mysuru. On Thursday, Yediyurappa had indicated that the party leadership was considering pitting Vijayendra against CLP leader Siddaramaiah. “There is pressure on Vijayendra to contest from Varuna,” Yediyurappa admitted on Friday. But said: “I have already announced that Vijayendra will contest from Shikaripura [in Shivamogga district]. So, under no circumstances or pressure will Vijayendra contest from Varuna. I will convey this to the high command.” Yediyurappa currently represents Shikaripura in the assembly, but has already announced his retirement from electoral politics.
He has always suggested Vijayendra would be his ‘heir’ in Shikaripura. Ever since Siddaramaiah announced that he will contest from Varuna, there has been talk in BJP that Vijayendra would be a suitable candidate to take on the former CM. In fact, Vijayendra wanted to contest from Varuna in 2018 but was stopped by the high command. Yediyurappa again raised expectations of a high-voltage fight on Thursday by not immediately ruling out the possibility of his son throwing his hat in the ring in Varuna.
But the U-turn came in less than 24 hours. State BJP functionaries say Yediyurappa’s decision is well-thought-out as a loss in Varuna would put his son’s nascent political career in tatters. “All said and done, it will be an uphill task for Vijayendra to defeat Siddaramaiah in Varuna,” a senior BJP MLA said. “If Vijayendra pulled off a win, there is no doubt he would emerge as a force in BJP. If not, then questions about his leadership qualities and popularity would have arisen.”