Taking a stubborn stand, BJP rebel leader Basanagouda R. Patil Yatnal has made it clear that he will not reply to the show-cause notice issued to him by the party’s central disciplinary committee. The 72-hour deadline given to him to respond ended on Thursday.
“I have not received any show-cause notice. Even if it has been issued by the party, I will not reply to it,” Mr. Yatnal told media persons at Almatti. “I get hundreds of such notices, I cannot reply to all of them,” Mr. Yatnal remarked.
The disciplinary committee had indicated that it would proceed with action against him if he did not reply to the notice within 72 hours to show cause as to why no action should be initiated against him. The party had issued the notice to the Vijayapura MLA on February 10 on the charge of violating party discipline by launching a tirade against the party State leadership.
A group of disgruntled leaders, under the leadership of Mr. Yatnal, has raised a banner of revolt against party State unit president B.Y. Vijayendra, questioning his style of functioning.
The rebel group had taken exception to appointments of district party presidents recently, saying that Mr. Vijayendra had manipulated the election process to ensure appointment of his close aides. This had been done to ensure his own continuity as State president as the district presidents would have to elect the State president for which elections are scheduled to be elected soon, they contended.
On his part, Mr. Vijayendra maintained that he had no role in the appointment of district unit chiefs. Both the camps had gone to Delhi to meet the party central leaders to make their stands clear.
However, when there was an indication of rebellion unfolding in the national capital, with the rebels visiting Delhi again, the BJP central leadership cracked the whip on both the camps. While it issued a show-cause notice to Mr. Yatnal, it also put on hold the appointment of Chickballapur district unit president B. Sandeep, who is said to be a follower of Mr. Vijayendra.
Now, it remains to be seen how the central leadership will respond as Mr. Yatnal has made it clear that he would not reply to the show-cause notice.
Published - February 13, 2025 07:15 pm IST
