'Son rise' in BJP: BSY proves he is still the top gun

Maqsood Maniyar | NT

Bengaluru: The BJP raised many an eyebrow as they appointed former chief minister BS Yediyurappa’s son and Shikaripura MLA BY Vijayendra as the party’s state president.

Vijayendra (47), who has the reputation of being a stellar organiser, replaces Dakshina Kannada MP Nalinkumar Kateel.

The latter served a threeyear term and had been given a year-long appointment in view of May’s Assembly election. Kateel belonged to the Bunt community.

The appointment underlines Yediyurappa’s political heft as the saffron party’s loftiest leader in the state. Moreover, Yediyurappa is seen as a Lingayat mass leader and the BJP is still heavily dependent on the community’s support for electoral success in Karnataka.

“I would like to convey heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, (party) national president JP Nadda, Home Minister Amit Shah and organizational general secretary BL Santosh who have carried the burden of the party’s huge responsibilities with unwavering confidence. Under the guidance of the senior leaders, I’m determined to work tirelessly to breathe new life into the Bharatiya Janata Party and fulfill the aspirations of the people. The blessings of the people are protection enough for me,” Vijayendra posted on X (previously Twitter).

Initial reactions from party colleagues and ally and JD(S) state president HD Kumaraswamy have been congratulatory toward the “young leader”. The BJP which was reduced to 66 seats in May’s Assembly elections will have a mountain to climb in next year’s Lok Sabha elections.

Caste calculus at play

Earlier, the BJP had been considering elevating a Vokkaliga in Hindutva ideologue CT Ravi to the post of the state president.

However, ever since the alliance between the BJP and JD(S) was confirmed back in September, there has been a shift in the caste calculus. Saffron party strategists are of the opinion that Vokkaliga votes would come to them through the JD(S) route.

So there was a push for a Lingayat to be appointed as the party state chief so as to shore up the community’s support as a section of them had shifted to the Congress in the last Assembly polls.

Interestingly, Lingayats like former minister V Somanna had also thrown their hat into the ring for the job.