Karnataka BJP President Elections Announced, 'First-Time MLA' Vijayendra To Face Tough Opposition From Senior Leaders

More questions emerged against the leadership of Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Karnataka president B Y Vijayendra after Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced elections for the state unit chief.

Chouhan is responsible for overseeing organisational elections in Karnataka. He declared on Saturday (18 January) during a visit to the state that president ialelections would be conducted after the district unit polls.

The announcement comes amid Vijayendra facing opposition from a rival faction that has once again voiced its disapproval of him, firmly stating that they cannot accept a first-time member of the legislative assembly (MLA) as their leader.

Despite being instructed by the BJP leadership to steer clear of controversies a few weeks ago following his repeated attacks on Vijayendra, MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal persisted with his assault on the state president on Sunday.

Yatnal expressed non-acceptance for Vijayendra, accusing him of sending his father and former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa to jail, alleging that he forged the CM's signature when his father held the post.

He urged the party high command to take the allegations against Vijayendra seriously, while Vijayendra voiced his assurance in receiving another opportunity to spearhead the party in the 2028 assembly elections.

Yatnal represents a group of BJP leaders who are against Vijayendra, stating just a day before that they would introduce a candidate for the upcoming elections, Indian Express reported.

Ramesh Jarkiholi, another BJP MLA, criticised the Karnataka BJP chief on Saturday. He stated that while Yediyurappa remains their leader, Vijayendra is still a novice, referring to him as a "bachha" (child).

Vijayendra's nomination as the state president of BJP led to discontentment among the rival faction. For several years, two factions have been competing for control over the state unit - one led by Yediyurappa and the other led by BJP's general secretary (organisation), B L Santhosh.

In reaction to the election news, Vijayendra expressed that he had effectively directed the state unit for a year. He voiced his confidence in receiving another chance to head the party, further stating that he would solicit backing from senior BJP leaders for his candidacy.