Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra on Thursday, 2 July declared that the controversy over cross-voting in the recent Legislative Council elections had been fully resolved, calling it a 'closed chapter'. Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, Vijayendra sought to project unity within the state BJP unit even as speculation over internal rifts continued to swirl.

Vijayendra's Remarks on Cross-Voting

Vijayendra was responding to questions about reported infighting within the Karnataka BJP following the cross-voting episode in the Legislative Council polls. 'All the confusion over cross-voting has ended. It is now a closed chapter,' he said, offering no further details on how the matter was resolved or which legislators were involved.

The episode had triggered considerable political debate within the party, with reports suggesting that certain BJP members had voted against the party line during the council elections — a serious breach of party discipline that typically invites action from the leadership.

Audio Clip Controversy Involving Sadananda Gowda

A separate controversy has emerged around a purported audio clip allegedly featuring former Karnataka Chief Minister and former Union Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, in which a voice is heard purportedly discussing the removal of Vijayendra as the Karnataka BJP chief. The clip went viral on social media, fuelling fresh speculation about internal power struggles within the state unit.

Vijayendra, however, maintained that Gowda had already addressed the matter. 'Sadananda Gowda has categorically stated that the voice in the audio clip is not his. He has clarified everything himself,' Vijayendra said, declining to elaborate further.

He also confirmed that he had spoken with BJP MLC H. Vishwanath regarding remarks made by certain party leaders, asserting that organisational work would continue regardless of internal differences. 'We are boosting the morale of our party workers and continuing with organisational work despite these challenges,' he added.

BJP Targets Congress Over Bidadi Township Project

Vijayendra also trained his guns on the Congress government over the proposed Bidadi Township project, accusing Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar of adopting a 'high-handed' approach toward farmers whose agricultural land is being sought for the project.

He alleged that shortly after assuming office, Shivakumar hurriedly initiated the project and began pressuring farmers to part with their land. 'On one hand, the government claims that 80 per cent of the farmers have given their consent for the Bidadi Township. However, the reality is that nearly 70 to 80 per cent of the farmers are opposing the project,' Vijayendra alleged. 'The government is trying to acquire fertile agricultural land that supports their livelihood.'

Vijayendra said he had personally visited the project site along with the Leader of the Opposition and urged Shivakumar to hold consultations with farmers rather than forcing the project upon them. 'Rather than adopting a high-handed approach, the Chief Minister should hold consultations with the farmers. The government should not take steps that would displace them from their lands,' he said.

Upcoming Assembly Session and BJP Agitations

The BJP leader confirmed that the Bidadi Township issue would be raised during the upcoming Legislative Assembly session. 'There will definitely be a discussion on this issue in the House. The government is proceeding with the attitude that whatever it has done is right. We will seek a comprehensive discussion on the matter,' he said.

Vijayendra also outlined a broader agitation strategy for the BJP, covering the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the alleged Gruha Lakshmi scheme scam, and farmer-related issues. 'On one hand, the SIR process is underway. On the other hand, we are preparing to launch a protest over the alleged Gruha Lakshmi scam. We are also formulating an agitation in support of farmers,' he said.

With the Assembly session approaching, the Karnataka BJP appears to be managing internal pressures while simultaneously mounting a multi-front offensive against the ruling Congress government.