Infighting and Political Maneuvering Will Diminish BJP in Karnataka: Patil Yatnal
Click to start listening
Synopsis
BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal warns that infighting and adjustment politics within the party will lead to significant declines in Karnataka. He criticizes the high command for ignoring issues and highlights the detrimental effects of political maneuvering on party strength.
Key Takeaways
- Infighting and adjustment politics threaten BJP's future in Karnataka.
- High command's inaction on dissenting legislators is concerning.
- Failure to counter Congress policies contributed to recent defeats.
- The party has forgotten its roots and the contributions of past leaders.
- Yatnal emphasizes the need for reforms to restore party strength.
Bengaluru, March 27 (NationPress) BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, expelled for six years due to his public dissent against state chief B.Y. Vijayendra and former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, stated on Thursday that the infighting and political maneuvering will lead the BJP to a new low in Karnataka.
He emphasized, “Those with vested interests who have engaged in political maneuvering and weakened the party in Karnataka, leading to its defeat in traditionally strong BJP regions like Kalburgi, Koppal, Raichur, Bellary, and Chikkodi, have escaped without facing any disciplinary actions. Meanwhile, those advocating for reform and an end to one-man dominance and family-centric politics have faced suspensions or notices. The infighting and adjustment politics will inevitably drag the party to a new low in Karnataka if no reforms are initiated,” he claimed.
Yatnal further pointed out that two legislators who openly rebelled against the party and showed support for the Congress were either ignored or received notices only after pressure from party workers.
“The high command has entirely overlooked the party's defeat and its weakening status in the Kalyana Karnataka region, which we have diligently built over the last thirty years. They are also unaware of the defeat in the North Karnataka region, where the BJP has traditionally had a robust voter base, particularly among the Panchamasali Lingayats. The adjustment politics that led to the BJP's loss in the by-polls in Shiggaon, once held by former CM Basavaraj Bommai, has been ignored,” he said.
He attributed the party's failure to effectively counter the Congress government's policies as a significant reason for its defeat in the bypolls, a factor that the high command conveniently neglects.
“The loss of the party in Davangere Lok Sabha, where we began strengthening our organization in the early 1990s, exemplifies how adjustment politics can devastate and weaken the party,” he remarked.
Yatnal also mentioned that the party has forgotten the contributions of the Late G. Mallikarjunappa (father of former MP G M Siddeshwar), who dedicated his resources to fortify the party and its cadre.
“It was through the selfless efforts of late Mallikarjunappa, late B.B. Shivappa, K. S. Eshwarappa, late V. S. Acharya, and many others that the party was strengthened in Karnataka,” he stated.
He warned that some leaders in the state, who now claim to uphold the party's legacy, could lead to the party's downfall in the future.
“I have singlehandedly confronted the ruling government in Karnataka by initiating Waqf protests and ensuring justice for farmers. The documentation we provided to the JPC was received positively by its Chairman Jagadambika Pal. I invested my resources and engaged a legal team to address the withdrawal of CBI consent in the disproportionate assets case concerning Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar without any expectation of political gain,” he affirmed.
“Additionally, I have filed a written petition before the Hon'ble High Court regarding the Valmiki Board misappropriation case and was among the few legislators to articulate the non-allocation of funds to North Karnataka in detail. I have been a persistent critic of the KPSC’s operations, exposing its shortcomings both in the assembly and beyond,” Yatnal concluded.
