B. S. Yediyurappa, the 78-year-old Karnataka CM has survived for far too long at a powerful post. Despite BJP’s resolution to show the Margdarshak Mandal group to the people who cross the age of 75, Yediyurappa was appointed to the post of Chief Minister at the age of 76. This is the biggest indication of his hold over the state unit of the party.
However, as BJP looks to overhaul its leadership with the appointment of young leaders at the top posts which was evident in the ministerial expansion, Yediyurappa seems to be facing an imminent exit.
In his last few months as the Chief Minister, Yediyurappa and his son B.Y. Vijayendra, have faced extensive charges of corruption. Many party leaders, including MLA’s and MPs have spoken against him. Moreover, the blatant nepotism by Yediyurappa in the promotion of his son, which is against the ethics of BJP, has also not gone down well within the party.
According to the buzz in the media and political circles of Karnataka, BS Yediyurappa, the CM of the state is a titular CM, while, the son of the 76-year-old chief minister, is exercising real power. In the last few years, Yediyurappa has aggressively promoted his son in BJP as well as among the Lingayats, the dominant community of the state, and now with his father as the CM, Vijayenndra is exercising the influence.
“Vijayendra is the de facto CM, super CM. Vijayendra has overseen the appointment of officials in every ministry. He is running the administration instead of his father,” alleged the unsigned letter which was circulating last year, believed to be written by disgruntled BJP MLAs.
Yediyurappa has survived for far too long despite being of old age and having been accused of corruption and nepotism – all of which are far from the core ethics of BJP. Now the central leadership of the party, as well as the state unit, has decided to get rid of Yediyurappa and his son.
He was in New Delhi a few days ago to meet Prime Minister Modi, party President JP Nadda, and Home Minister Amit Shah. In the meeting with senior party leaders, he received a clear indication that everyone wants him out, although he informed the media otherwise.
“They have all asked me to strengthen the party. Even PM Modi said the same thing yesterday and Naddaji and Rajnath Singhji and today Amit Shahji said the same thing. I have said that I will not retreat and that I will work day and night to bring the party back to power. I told them that I would work to help the party win 25 seats again in the next LS polls,” Yediyurappa said.
However, after he reached Karnataka, he called a meeting of BJP MLAs of the state on July 26, when he would complete two years as chief minister. It is believed that the party leadership in New Delhi told him that he could choose the date of his exit anytime in the next few months. From the looks of it, he has probably chosen his two-year anniversary to relinquish the post.
The party wants to infuse fresh blood into Karnataka leadership as it did in the Union ministry. The party has ambitions to become a truly pan-national unit by expanding in the Southern states. Therefore, Karnataka becomes extremely important because it can be used as an example to the voters and prospective leaders of the neighboring states.
The party has already gained considerable influence in Telangana. Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu are the states where it wants to further expand its reach, and Karnataka is very important for the said expansion. Therefore, the party wants a new chief minister and fresh blood in the leadership. This would not only help the state reach new heights but also help in the expansion of the party in neighboring states.
