Karnataka Election 2023: Primer On Yediyurappa's Son B Y Vijayendra, Who Is Set To Contest Polls

The son of former Karnataka chief minister B S Yediyurappa may run for political office from their Shivamogga family bastion of Shikaripura in the Karnataka assembly election, 2023.

Yediyurappa, who retired from electoral politics recently, has emerged victorious from the Shikaripura constituency seven times since 1983.

He also happens to be the one spearheading the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s election campaign in Karnataka this year, and believes his son should contest from Shikaripura.

Son B Y Vijayendra will be expected to emulate the success if he is picked to contest from the home turf.

Or anywhere else, too. Yediyurappa himself had said in July last year that his son has the strength to win from wherever he is picked to contest.

But who is Vijayendra? Here's a quick primer.

Vijayendra initially practised law before joining politics.

He then began serving the BJP in the capacity of general secretary for the party's youth wing, called Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha.

Soon after, with the Karnataka assembly election of 2018 approaching, some voices within the BJP fold demanded that Vijayendra take on Congress stalwart Siddaramaiah in Mysuru's Varuna constituency.

But he was denied a ticket.

It is said that Vijayendra, too, desired to contest from Varuna in 2018 on a BJP ticket when Siddaramaiah vacated his seat for his son S Yathindra to contest as a Congress candidate.

Two years later, Vijayendra was appointed BJP Karnataka vice president.

He was credited by many to have played a key role in the BJP's first-ever victory in the K R Pet and Sira Assembly segments in the by-polls held in 2019 and 2020, respectively.

Later, another setback of sorts followed when, ignoring the recommendation of the state unit to field him for the June 2022 biennial elections to seven seats of the Karnataka Legislative Council, the party central leadership denied Vijayendra a ticket.

Talks arose this year of Vijayendra contesting against Siddaramaiah in the Varuna constituency in Mysuru.

But the speculation was quashed, or at least the possibility dimmed to an extent, after Yediyurappa told reporters, "There is no question of Vijayendra contesting from Varuna for whatsoever reason," and that he would contest from "my constituency" in Shivamogga district.

Vijayendra has previously said he will respect the party high command's decision.

The young leader, meanwhile, is leading the committee for organising conventions in all constituencies before the Karnataka polls.

The Karnataka assembly election will be held on 10 May. Votes will be counted on 13 May.

Bonus: Yediyurappa does have another son: B Y Raghavendra. He is a Member of Parliament from Shivamogga Lok Sabha constituency.