Vijayendra wants to hold BJP legislature party meeting in Dharmasthala to ‘seek truth’ about cross-voting

BY Vijayendra during the Yoga Day program at the BJP state office in Bengaluru on Sunday (June 21). | Photo credit: Special arrangement

The embarrassing episode of cross-voting by some opposition BJP MLAs in the recent Legislative Council elections took a curious turn when party president BY Vijayendra announced that a legislative party meeting would be held at the pilgrimage center of Dharmasthala to reveal the truth about who violated the party whip.

Making the announcement to the press in Bengaluru on Sunday (June 21), Mr. Vijayendra said he would speak to Leader of Opposition in the State Legislature R. Ashok about his intention to hold a Legislature Party meeting in Dharmasthala. As per the norms, Mr. Ashok is authorized to call the legislative party meeting as he is the leader of the legislative party.

It may be noted that there is a belief among the devotees of the pilgrimage center that they take a vow (test of truth) in the temple during disputes. Sources close to Mr. Vijayendra said he was of the view that MLAs making it clear that they had voted for the party candidate at the Legislature Party meeting scheduled to be held in Dharmasthala would be akin to taking a vow. “The party will not insist that every MLA take the pledge in the temple. But we believe they are vouching for the truth in the legislature party meeting held at the pilgrimage center. Those indulging in cross-voting can skip the meeting,” they said.

“All of us (BJP legislators) believe in God. That is why I have decided that a meeting of party MLAs should be held in Dharmasthala to know the truth about who cheated the party by indulging in cross-voting,” Mr Vijayendra told the media.

It may be noted that the BJP-JD(S) combine suffered a setback and political embarrassment as the JD(S) candidate lost in the Council polls in which 11 MLAs from the combine indulged in cross-voting and supported the ruling Congress.

While the BJP is yet to identify the MLAs who cross-voted, it is speculated that at least four of its members have violated the party whip, which asks them to vote for the alliance candidate.

It may be noted that the party has constituted an inquiry committee headed by CT Ravi, MLC to look into the episode. But even before the commission identifies those who indulged in cross-voting, Mr. Vijayendra’s decision to “seek the truth” at the pilgrimage center has sparked political curiosity.

According to sources, Mr. Vijayendra is upset by the outcry, especially on social media, over the cross-voting episode as some sections, especially his political critics, accuse him of embarrassment. It is believed that he chose this option as a desperate measure to prove that he had nothing to do with cross-voting.

Referring to this, Mr. Vijayendra told the press, “I have seen criticism on social media. My conscience cannot accept cross-voting. But there are efforts to indirectly attack (me) with this. The cross-voting episode has made people doubt all the 63 MLAs of the party. It hurts me. I even called the party that its national problem should be expressed to Mr. Ashok and I should express my opinion. go to Delhi to meet in this regard by the central leaders of the party,” he said.

Published – 21 Jun 2026 21:49 IST