‘Vijayendra confident of Amit Shah’s backing to retain BJP State Presidency’

Bengaluru

Karnataka BJP president B Y Vijayendra is said to be projecting confidence within his camp that the party’s central leadership will continue him as the state unit chief beyond the end of his current tenure, reportedly banking on what he describes as strong support from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Vijayendra’s term as Karnataka BJP president is scheduled to conclude in November this year. However, according to sources within the party, he has conveyed to his loyalists that his position remains secure and that influential leaders within the organisation would find it difficult to unseat him.

Sources who spoke to blrpost.com claimed that Vijayendra has privately maintained that senior BJP leader B L Santhosh, who is regarded as a long-time political adversary of his father and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, would be unable to engineer his removal from the post. Vijayendra has reportedly attributed this confidence to the close rapport he believes he has developed with Shah over the past few years.

The issue has gained significance amid increasing speculation over a possible change in leadership within the Karnataka BJP. Political observers noted that the visit of BJP national president Nitin Nabin to Karnataka last week triggered fresh discussions about an impending organisational reshuffle. During his visit, Nabin met several senior BJP leaders in the state. Both Vijayendra and Yediyurappa hosted the national president, fuelling speculation regarding the future leadership of the state unit.

Sources also pointed to the grand “Yediyurappa Utsava” organised on May 9 to commemorate the 50-year political journey of Yediyurappa. The event, attended by Amit Shah, was viewed by many within the party as more than a mere celebration of the veteran leader’s political career. Party insiders suggested that the programme was strategically designed to showcase the continuing influence of the Yediyurappa family within Karnataka BJP and to send a message to the central leadership regarding Vijayendra’s claim to continue as state president.

According to sources, considerable efforts were made by both Yediyurappa and Vijayendra to ensure Shah’s presence at the event. The successful participation of the Union Home Minister was subsequently projected by Vijayendra’s supporters as evidence of his growing stature within the party’s national leadership.

Sources further alleged that Vijayendra has not only expressed confidence about retaining the post but has also openly highlighted his perceived proximity to Shah during interactions with party loyalists. He is said to have conveyed that no leader within the organisation possesses the influence necessary to remove him from the presidency.

Such assertions, however, are understood to have caused unease among sections of the Karnataka BJP, particularly among influential Lingayat leaders. Union Minister V Somanna is reportedly among those being discussed as a potential contender for the state BJP presidency should the party decide to effect a change in leadership.

Vijayendra views Santhosh as the principal obstacle to his continuation in office. Nevertheless, he has reportedly assured his supporters that even Santhosh would be unable to secure his removal because of his direct access to and support from Amit Shah.

“Vijayendra has been repeatedly telling his supporters that he is unstoppable and that his position is secure,” a party source claimed, adding that such confidence has generated both admiration among loyalists and resentment among some rival factions within the Karnataka BJP.