Yediyurappa’s early ticket announcements trigger fresh unrest within Karnataka BJP
Davanagere: Internal tensions within the Bharatiya Janata Party in Karnataka have flared up once again, this time over statements made by senior leader and Parliamentary Board member B. S. Yediyurappa.
With nearly two years left for the Karnataka Legislative Assembly election, Yediyurappa’s public announcement of “probable candidates” for several constituencies in Davanagere district has sparked sharp criticism from party leaders.
The controversy erupted after Yediyurappa, speaking at former minister M.P. Renukacharya’s 64th birthday event in Honnali on February 28, named likely BJP candidates for multiple Assembly segments.
He reportedly declared Renukacharya for Honnali, Madal Virupakshappa for Channagiri, Chandrashekar Poojar for Harihar, Lokikere Nagaraj for Davanagere North, S.V. Ramachandra for Jagalur and Karunakara Reddy for Harapanahalli.
The announcements did not go down well with several local leaders, who termed the move a violation of party protocol. Davanagere BJP former district general secretary Shantaraj Patil addressed a press conference expressing open dissatisfaction.
“We did not expect such a statement from Yediyurappa. He is a tall leader who brought the BJP to power in the State, and we respect him immensely. But announcing candidates unilaterally does not bring dignity to the party,” he said.
Patil emphasized that the BJP has a structured system for candidate selection. “Unlike other parties, we have a defined procedure. The Central Parliamentary Board decides candidates. Making such appeals to elect specific individuals and promising ministerial positions undermines the morale of party workers,” he added.
Factionalism in Davanagere BJP has reportedly deepened since the last Lok Sabha elections, with camps aligned to former Union Minister G.M. Siddeshwara and Renukacharya at odds. Senior leader Jagadish Shettar was earlier entrusted with reconciling the factions, but insiders say little progress has been made.
The dissenting group has now decided to escalate the issue to the party high command. A protest meeting has been convened on March 5 at a guest house of GM IT College under the leadership of Siddeshwara and sitting MLA B.P. Harish. Leaders plan to formally convey their objections to the central leadership.
Adding to the political churn, State BJP in-charge Radha Mohan Singh is scheduled to visit the district the same day, and the dissident camp intends to raise the matter before him.
The turmoil comes at a sensitive time, as a by-election is due in Davanagere South following the demise of senior leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa. With factional rivalry intensifying, the latest controversy has further complicated the party’s internal dynamics in the district.
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