Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal has been expelled from the BJP. | Photo credit: FILE PHOTO
“BJP state unit president BY Vijayendra will never become the chief minister of Karnataka. That is as true as the existence of the sun and the moon,” Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, who was expelled from the BJP, said in Bagalkot on Monday.
He told reporters that Vijayendra is not behaving like a real leader of the opposition but is involved in the politics of compromise.
“Mr Vijayendra and his father former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa are both experts in drama. They act differently from party workers and leaders from other parties. They conspired to defeat BJP candidates in Lok Sabha polls in Bidar, Kalaburagi, Davangere and other places,” they said, building the party on the principles of personal loyalty.
“When I wanted to take out a padayatra against the Valmiki Corporation scandal, Mr. Vijayendra stopped me. He is so afraid of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar that he does not speak anything against him or the state government in the assembly. Mr. Vijayendra is afraid that Mr. Shivakumar will dig up some files against him and discredit him. BJP leader Monkey’s performance has improved slightly, but BJP Ash’s performance has strongly faced the ruling party,” said Mr. Yatnal.
According to him, BJP leaders in Karnataka have failed to protect the interests of Hindus.
“They failed to protest the injustice against Hindus during the KG Halli and DJ Halli riots. This led to the BJP’s defeat in the last assembly elections,” he said.
When asked, Mr Yatnal said he would reconsider joining the BJP if the BJP leadership removed Mr Vijayendra from his post. “Otherwise I’ll build my own party,” he said.
Published – 23 Feb 2026 19:30 IST
