Yediyurappa likely to tour Karnataka to bolster BJP’s prospects in local body polls

Bengaluru

With Karnataka BJP State President B Y Vijayendra struggling to build political momentum, former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa is reportedly preparing to return to active campaigning to galvanise party workers and consolidate votes ahead of the upcoming local body elections.

According to sources within the BJP who spoke to blrpost.com, Yediyurappa has decided to tour several parts of the state to campaign extensively for the local body polls. 

“Yediyurappa will travel across Karnataka to energise the cadre and mobilise support for the party. Despite recent controversies, he continues to command significant influence and retains considerable mass appeal among core BJP voters,” sources said.  However, the party is yet to officially release the schedule of his travel

In the first week of February, Vijayendra travelled to New Delhi and met newly appointed BJP national president Nitin Nabin. Party insiders suggest that the decision to deploy Yediyurappa in the local body election campaign was taken following this meeting. The move comes at a time when several BJP MLAs and grassroots workers have begun questioning Vijayendra’s leadership and expressing a desire for change. However, the party’s central leadership is reportedly inclined to allow him to complete his three-year term before taking any major decision.

During the special Assembly session held from January 22 to February 4, Vijayendra failed to make a strong political impact, while several other BJP leaders dominated the proceedings. The party was unable to effectively corner the ruling Congress government, a development that has intensified internal criticism and raised concerns about the absence of assertive leadership within the state unit.

Sources indicate that the BJP’s national leadership is closely monitoring the internal discord within the Karnataka unit and is likely to take a call on Vijayendra’s future after the conclusion of the local body elections. The upcoming polls are therefore being viewed as a crucial test of his leadership capabilities.

In an apparent bid to strengthen his position and mount a more effective challenge against the Congress, Vijayendra is seeking the organisational strength and political experience of his father. This is said to be the primary reason behind the 82-year-old Yediyurappa’s decision to actively campaign.

The Election Commission is yet to announce the schedule for the zilla panchayat, city corporation and town panchayat elections.

Yediyurappa, a veteran politician and a towering Lingayat leader, continues to wield influence within sections of the electorate. However, his public image has suffered after he was booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Since the case was registered, he has largely maintained a low public profile. Party insiders now believe that the local body elections could provide him with an opportunity to reassert his political relevance and restore confidence within the party ranks, particularly in support of his son’s leadership.