BYV blasts seniors for silence while dad ‘humiliated’

Bengaluru: The factional rift in Karnataka BJP took a curious turn with state president BY Vijayendra Thursday criticising senior functionaries for their "silence" on the "continuous humiliation" heaped on his father and former chief minister BS Yediyurappa. Vijayendra also indicated that the process to select a state president could conclude by Feb 20.
"For the past year, Yediyurappa has been continuously humiliated," Vijayendra said. "It is unfortunate that such indecent language is being used against someone who built this party. What is worse is that no one tried to stop it. Sitting quietly and watching is also a sin."
Calling on senior functionaries to intervene, he said, "If anyone has issues, let them take it up with the party high command. But passing such comments is not right. I am pained both as state president and as Yediyurappa's son that functionaries who are neutral are not trying to stop these remarks."
Barely 24 hours earlier, Bijapur City MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, who is leading a faction that is pressing to have Vijayendra removed as party president, had claimed Yediyurappa is a spent force and had derided his family for "corruption".
Vijayendra, a first time-MLA who was appointed president in Nov last year, has faced resistance from senior party functionaries dissatisfied with his leadership style. But Vijayendra insisted: "I don't know how many seniors are satisfied with my work, but I know workers are. I have never conducted myself in a way that disrespects them."
On the silence of the BJP high command, he said, "Some feel Delhi brass like (BL) Santoshji are supporting the rebel faction. This is far from the truth. Central brass will make its stand clear within a week to 10 days. There will be a happy ending."
Responding to BJP functionary B Sreeramulu's claim that he lacks experience, Vijayendra said, "I may not be as experienced as him, but I have worked for 18-20 years in the party. Workers have recognised me."
Former CM Basavaraj Bommai, expressing displeasure over the infighting, urged factions to remain patient and resolve differences internally. "Instead of fighting Congress's misgovernance, we are caught up in internal bickering," he said.
BJP MLA Suresh Gowda called for action against Yatnal and his faction, saying public criticism of Yediyurappa would "deeply hurt" party workers while former minister MP Renukacharya, a Yediyurappa loyalist, said: "If Vijayendra is replaced, BJP will struggle to win even 10 seats."
The rebels have planned a meeting in New Delhi on Feb 10 to challenge Vijayendra's influence, while the president's supporters have scheduled a counter-show of strength on Feb 12.