Shah asks K’taka BJP leaders to forget differences & work unitedly
In a move to strengthen the party’s position in Karnataka, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has asked BJP leaders in the state to put aside their past differences and work together. According to state party president BY Vijayendra, Shah made this appeal during a meeting with the party’s senior leaders in Bengaluru.
The meeting was called to discuss the party’s strategy for the upcoming Assembly elections in the state. However, it was also seen as an attempt to bring together the party’s warring factions, which have been at loggerheads over various issues.
Some BJP leaders in Karnataka had opposed Vijayendra’s presidency, accusing him of “adjustment politics” with the ruling Congress. They had also criticized him and his father, former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, for trying to keep the party in their clutches.
Vijayendra, who is the son of Yediyurappa, had taken over as the state party president after his father’s resignation last year. However, his appointment was opposed by some leaders who felt that he was not the right person to lead the party in the state.
Shah’s meeting with the party leaders was seen as an attempt to bring these factions together and work towards a common goal. Vijayendra said that Shah emphasized the importance of unity and discipline within the party, and asked the leaders to put aside their differences and work together.
“Shahji emphasized that our unity is our strength, and we should not let our differences divide us,” Vijayendra said, adding that the Home Minister also asked the leaders to focus on the party’s ideology and work towards the betterment of the state.
The meeting was attended by senior BJP leaders, including state ministers and MLAs, who are known to be opposed to Vijayendra’s presidency. However, the outcome of the meeting was not immediately clear, as some of these leaders were tight-lipped about the discussions that took place.
The BJP is facing a tough challenge in Karnataka, where it is struggling to maintain its hold on power. The party has been in power in the state since 2008, but its popularity has been declining in recent years.
The party’s fortunes took a hit in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, when it won only 25 out of 28 seats in the state. The party’s performance in the subsequent byelections was also disappointing, with many of its candidates losing their deposits.
The BJP’s troubles in Karnataka are largely due to internal conflicts and factionalism within the party. There have been reports of dissidence against Vijayendra’s presidency, with some leaders demanding his removal.
The party’s national leadership has been trying to address these issues, and Shah’s meeting with the state leaders was seen as an attempt to bring some sort of closure to these conflicts.
However, it remains to be seen whether Shah’s appeal for unity will be successful. The BJP’s opponents in the state, including the Congress and the JD(S), are keen to cash in on the party’s internal conflicts and are likely to continue to target its leadership.
In the meantime, the BJP is trying to regroup and revive its fortunes in Karnataka. The party is likely to hold a series of meetings and consultations with its leaders and workers in the state, with the aim of revamping its strategy and preparing for the upcoming elections.
Ultimately, the success of the BJP’s efforts will depend on its ability to put aside its internal conflicts and present a united face to the people of Karnataka. If it is able to do so, it may be able to regain its popularity and win back the confidence of the voters.
