NEW DELHI: BJP brass has stepped in to set its house in order in Karnataka, where its state unit has been plagued by discordant voices, turning its gaze to the only southern state where the party has been in power amid the view that it has not been able to effectively exploit the “anti-incumbency” sentiments against the Congress govt despite its leadership tussle playing out in open for months at the cost of governance.In a series of meetings with party functionaries, including MPs and MLAs besides organisational office-bearers, BJP president Nitin Nabin was categorical in emphasising the need for unity.“His main message was that everyone should work together in the party’s interests and set aside any qualms over anyone’s senior or junior status in view of upcoming challenges,” a party functionary said, describing Nabin as hands-on and accessible.After losing to Congress in the two recent assembly bypolls, BJP is now keen to make a mark in the upcoming local body elections, including for the prestigious Greater Bengaluru Authority, to build up a winning narrative in the run up to the 2028 state pols.Karnataka has presented the party with a unique set of challenges, which have been accentuated after former CM and its tallest state leader, B S Yediyurappa, withdrew from electoral politics and his younger son Vijayendra emerged as his political heir.Vijayendra was made state BJP president in November 2023 but a section of senior party functionaries has been less than happy with his stewardship.While the party has elected its presidents in most of the states after its membership drive, a customary exercise, but not in Karnataka, as its national brass navigates claims and counterclaims while seeking to maintain a fine balance.Though Yediyurappa, the state’s tallest Lingayat face, often faced challenges from within BJP but his stature and political dexterity helped him keep them to the periphery.BJP was forced to expel Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, a Yediyurappa baiter who turned increasingly vocal as his son took the party’s helm, last year and threw out two more MLAs for not voting for its candidate in Rajya Sabha election, a defiance almost unthinkable in its other state units.With the party’s footprint in north, west and east India now wider than anytime in the past, it is now making a push in south India, where four states are governed by opposition parties while its ally TDP is the dominant party in Andhra Pradesh.
