Vijayendra safe for now, but is rebellion brewing?
Will Somanna be elevated as state BJP president in the middle of Vijayendra's term after former helped the NDA get 19 seats in the state in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections is the question. This round of rebellion started after the bypolls where the BJP did not do well. Vijayendra is the son of party strongman BS Yediyurappa.
Confirming his meeting with Yediyurappa-Vijayendra loyalist Renukacharya, Somanna said, 'Yes, he met me on July 16. We had a discussion.' He refused to elaborate but added a stinging remark that many see as a veiled warning to the party brass: 'There are veterans like me in the party who know what injections to give - publicly and privately.'
The remark, laced with political intent, comes amid rising discontent within the party's old guard and rebel faction. At the heart of the churn is the growing perception that Vijayendra, the current state BJP president, is consolidating power by handpicking district presidents loyal to him - allegedly sidelining other influential leaders.
Several disgruntled voices from the BJP's rebel camp, speaking to TNIE on condition of anonymity, accused Vijayendra of promoting a 'loyalty-first' culture over leadership or inclusivity. 'We need district leaders who represent the full spectrum of the party, not just a coterie. 2028 is too critical to gamble with one man's inner circle,' said a senior leader of the state BJP from South Karnataka.
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