Shyam Sundar Vattam
Mysuru
The sweeping victory of the NDA in the Bihar Assembly elections may have infused fresh confidence into the national leadership of the BJP, but back home in Karnataka, the party is battling a far more complex crisis—one born not of electoral setbacks, but of deepening internal fissures.
“The situation is simply not conducive. We are paying the price for our own house being divided,” admitted a senior BJP leader, requesting anonymity.
Once celebrated for its iron discipline and ideological cohesion, the Karnataka BJP today resembles what a veteran leader described as “one house with three doors and everyone guarding their own room, not the party.”
The BJP’s internal fragmentation is now an open secret. At least four distinct factions operate in the state unit: One loyal to State President B.Y. Vijayendra.
Another around suspended MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal. A third around former CM Basavaraj Bommai and a fourth around Opposition Leader in Assembly R. Ashoka. While these leaders exchange pleasantries in public, the bonhomie is skin-deep. “Everyone smiles on stage but carries a knife behind the back,” remarked another party insider.
Since the party’s humiliating defeat in the 2023 Assembly elections, the internal rivalry has only intensified. For nearly 30 months, the high command has failed to heal rifts or force unity among the warring groups.
High Command: Deaf, Blind and Dumb?
Many in the Karnataka unit are furious with the central leadership’s inaction. The high command, which once cracked down swiftly on indiscipline, is now seen as detached. “The Delhi leadership is deaf, blind and dumb to what is happening here,” said a frustrated senior office-bearer. “Nobody wants to upset anyone. Everyone fears losing their personal equation with top leaders.”
Even worse, some BJP legislators have been accused of maintaining secret deals with Congress leaders. The allegation was made publicly—and explosively—by rebel leader Yatnal, who continues to attack former CM B.S. Yediyurappa and his son Vijayendra in public meetings.
Yatnal’s Daily Broadsides: A Congress Gift
Yatnal’s relentless tirades have become a political spectacle. He has accused Yediyurappa of running the party like a private estate and has repeatedly challenged Vijayendra’s leadership.
“This washing of dirty linen in public is the single biggest gift to the Congress government,” said a party strategist. “When we should be exposing the corruption and appeasement politics of the Congress, we are busy fighting our own people.” The Congress, which itself battles allegations of corruption and vote-bank politics, has benefited greatly from the BJP’s internal meltdown.
Neutral Leaders, Silent Voices
A major complaint within the Karnataka BJP is that senior leaders are unwilling to speak truth to the national leadership. The BJP continues to place blind faith in Yediyurappa’s ability to consolidate Lingayat votes, despite growing dissent within the community and the party cadre. Many second-line leaders are openly unhappy with Vijayendra’s elevation. Suspended stalwarts like K.S. Eshwarappa and Yatnal are eager to return to the fold, further complicating the equation.
Amit Shah must intervene
There is near-unanimous sentiment within the party that only Union Home Minister Amit Shah can enforce discipline and realign the Karnataka unit.
“If Amit Shah doesn’t intervene now, things may soon become beyond repair,” warned a senior leader who has remained neutral amid the factional battles. As Karnataka heads toward a critical election cycle, the BJP’s greatest threat is not the Congress—it is itself.
