'Will Continue As BJP's Karnataka President': B Y Vijayendra Amid Party Factionalism, Attacks 'Corrupt' Siddaramaiah Government

The Karnataka president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), B Y Vijayendra, has conveyed his assurance of retaining his position amid questions over his tenure as party chief, The Hindu reported.

"When I am saying that I will strengthen the party and bring it to power in the state with a clear majority, it means that I will continue as the party’s state president", Vijayendra said on Friday (17 January).

Vijayendra's response to reporters in Mysuru follows ongoing disagreement within a faction of the party. He expressed his confidence in the trust that the party's high command has in his leadership.

Stating his commitment to meet the high command's expectations, Vijayendra reassured that the party's central leadership is on the verge of resolving the ongoing confusion regarding the issue within the party.

In his role as the State President for the party over the past year, Vijayendra stated that he had tirelessly fought against the 'corrupt' Congress government in Karnataka. This included a foot march from Bengaluru to Mysuru in protest against Chief Minister (CM) Siddaramaiah.

He claimed that his efforts were appreciated by the party workers and expressed his intention to concentrate on the forthcoming challenges. He further emphasised his commitment to taking everyone's views into consideration.

Concerning his latest comments in Koppal aimed at former Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi, who is now associated with the rebel faction, Vijayendra stated that he had cautioned Jarkiholi to tread carefully when discussing the senior leader and former CM B S Yediyurappa.

He expressed that criticism towards Yediyurappa would harm the morale of the party workers as the former CM's role in expanding the BJP's influence from urban areas to rural regions is substantial.

Vijayendra expressed criticism towards the state government for the deteriorating law and order situation in Karnataka. He highlighted incidents such as the fatal shooting of two men from an ATM cash-refilling agency in Bidar, a girl's rape in Kalaburagi, and the disfigurement of cows' udders at Chamarajpet in Bengaluru.

He asserted that these occurrences are exclusive to Karnataka and not happening in any other states. He criticised the state government for their inadequate efforts to control the 'anti-nationals' within minority groups.

He pointed fingers at Home Minister G Parameshwara for his lack of response to the deteriorating law and order situation, attributing it to the 'appeasement' strategy of the state's Congress government.

Vijayendra has criticised the Congress government for reportedly demanding a 60 per cent commission to clear the bills of contractors from Karnataka Electronics Development Corporation (KEONICS) Limited.

These contractors had previously written to President Droupadi Murmu, apparently requesting mercy killing due to the delay in their bill payments.

Vijayendra's accusation comes in light of the Congress government's previous characterisation of the BJP government as a '40 per cent commission' government, and he quoted public sentiment by saying, "People are saying this is a 60 per cent commission government".