Karnataka BJP chief predicts revolt in ruling Congress

BJP State Unit President BY Vijayendra | Photo credit: File photo

BJP state unit president BY Vijayendra claimed that discontent in the ruling Congress in Karnataka had reached a flash point and senior leaders as well as MLAs were ready to revolt against Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

In an interaction with mediapersons on October 20 after attending the Ayudha Pooja celebrations at BJP’s Bengaluru office, Mr. Vijayendra said, “Mr. Shivakumar’s political base is shaking due to various reasons. He is frustrated as senior Congress leaders and MLAs are ready to raise a banner of revolt against him as they repeatedly try to point the finger at him at the Center Chief. public attention.”

However, Mr. Vijayendra ruled out any possibility of the BJP trying to unseat the Congress government. “People have voted that BJP will be in opposition this time. We will continue to be in opposition for the remaining term of one-and-a-half years. There is no need for BJP to oust this Congress government,” he said.

He alleged that the government has completely failed to manage the drought that has been plaguing Karnataka. “The Congress government is yet to take off with regard to development work, though it came to power about three and a half years ago. The administration is so poor that even physically challenged people have come to the streets to ask for social security pension,” he said.

Delegation in the dry season

Mr Vijayendra dropped hints that the BJP was open to discussing changing its stance on boycotting an all-party delegation due to visit Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and seek help in drought relief in Karnataka.

“We will decide whether to participate in the all-party delegation after discussing the matter with our party and opposition leaders,” he said.

Unexpected meeting with expelled MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal

Meeting his arch-rival Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, who was expelled from the BJP, in Hubballi a few days ago, Mr. Vijayendra said it was an “unexpected meeting” that took place at a mutual friend’s house after both attended a religious program involving Jain monks. Asked if this was a sign that he was trying to get Mr Yatnal back into the party, Mr Vijayendra said: “Let’s wait and see.”

One of the reasons for Mr Yatnal’s expulsion was his constant criticism of former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and Mr Vijayendra. However, some prominent BJP leaders have started expressing the view that Mr Yatnal, known for espousing hard-core Hindutva ideology, should be brought back into the party ahead of the 2028 Assembly polls to avoid splitting the party’s support base.

Sugarcane farmers protest against NDA government

Referring to the protest by sugarcane growers in Karnataka, Mr. Vijayendra said a committee has been constituted to look into the matter after Union Minister Pralhad Joshi took up the matter with his counterpart Shivaraj Singh Chauhan, who is expected to visit Karnataka soon.

“The problem of sugarcane farmers is not limited to Karnataka. The Center must take up the call to respond to their demands keeping in view the situation not only in the country but also internationally. The Center is already working on it,” he said.

He claimed that if sugarcane farmers have received any justice, it has been from the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing new policies to promote value addition related to sugar and its by-products and help in the management of sugar mills.

Published – 20 October 2026 17:40 IST