NDA to unite for Hiriyur bypoll: Karnataka BJP chief Vijayendra
Synopsis
Karnataka BJP chief B.Y. Vijayendra has declared that the BJP and JD(S) will fight the Hiriyur Assembly bypoll as a united NDA bloc — a direct test of the alliance's ground-level coordination. With Vijayendra simultaneously alleging Congress factionalism, a 'Save Democracy' padyatra in Kolar, and claiming Siddaramaiah complained against Shivakumar in Delhi, Monday's press conference was as much an offensive political salvo as it was a byelection announcement.
Key Takeaways
Karnataka BJP President B.Y.
Vijayendra announced on 2 November 2026 that the BJP and JD(S) would jointly contest the Hiriyur Assembly by-election under the NDA banner.
The bypoll date has not yet been officially announced; Vijayendra said it could be declared 'at any time'.
The party will consult senior leaders and Union Minister H.D.
Kumaraswamy to field a consensus NDA candidate.
BJP National General Secretary Harish Dwivedi attended the Karnataka state office-bearers' meeting and pledged to spend more time in the state.
BJP launched the 'Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy' campaign; a padyatra in Kolar on Tuesday is expected to draw over 10,000 participants.
Vijayendra alleged Congress factionalism was deepening, claiming Siddaramaiah had complained against D.K.
Shivakumar in Delhi — a claim not independently verified.
Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra on Monday, 2 November 2026, announced that the BJP and the Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) would jointly contest the upcoming Hiriyur Assembly by-election, pledging to formulate a coordinated National Democratic Alliance (NDA) strategy to win the seat. The announcement came at the party's state headquarters, Jagannath Bhavan, in Bengaluru.
NDA Strategy for Hiriyur
Vijayendra said the bypoll could be announced at any time and that the matter had been discussed in detail at the BJP core committee meeting held on the same day. Rather than focusing solely on defeating the Congress, he said the alliance would invest in crafting a positive winning approach. 'We will formulate a strategy on how we should win rather than concentrating only on how to defeat the Congress party,' Vijayendra said.
He added that senior BJP leaders would consult with Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy to arrive at a consensus candidate. Taking a swipe at the Congress government, Vijayendra noted that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had already visited Hiriyur within two to three months of assuming office, implying the ruling party was worried about the constituency.
Legislative Council Results Signal Public Anger, Vijayendra Claims
Vijayendra cited the recent Legislative Council election results as evidence of rising public dissatisfaction with the Congress-led Karnataka government. 'Despite all the show of strength by the ruling Congress government and the Chief Minister, the people of Karnataka have lost confidence in this government,' he claimed.
He also noted that BJP National General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge Harish Dwivedi participated in the party's state office-bearers' meeting and advised the organisation to pursue 'positive struggles' while preparing for upcoming GBA elections, Zilla Panchayat, and Gram Panchayat elections. Vijayendra added that Dwivedi had also committed to spending more time in Karnataka to strengthen the organisation.
'Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy' Campaign
Vijayendra announced that the BJP had launched a nationwide campaign titled 'Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy', which he said was a response to what the party describes as the Congress party's alleged propaganda against constitutional institutions including the Election Commission. He also alleged, without providing specifics, that the Congress and other parties were 'conspiring' against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attempting to destabilise the Centre.
As part of this campaign, a padyatra is scheduled in Kolar on Tuesday, beginning at approximately 11 am, with more than 10,000 youths expected to participate. Vijayendra, Dwivedi, and other state leaders are slated to take part. A similar march is planned in Chitradurga the following day.
Congress Factionalism Allegations
Vijayendra also sharpened his attack on the ruling party's internal cohesion, claiming that factionalism within the Congress would deepen following the Legislative Council results. He alleged that former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, a Congress Working Committee member, had travelled to Delhi and lodged a complaint against Chief Minister Shivakumar. 'There is information that Siddaramaiah went to Delhi and lodged a complaint against D.K. Shivakumar,' Vijayendra claimed.
He further alleged that secret meetings were being held to install a 'third Chief Minister' in Karnataka — a claim he said he had made previously. 'Overall, all is not well in the Congress party and the ruling government. There are already indications that this could explode at any time,' he said. All such allegations were made by Vijayendra and have not been independently verified.
With the Hiriyur bypoll date yet to be officially announced, the NDA's ability to swiftly agree on a consensus candidate — and translate alliance arithmetic into actual votes — will be the first real test of BJP-JD(S) coordination in Karnataka ahead of the next Assembly elections.
Point of View
Which Vijayendra has invoked twice as proof of public anger, was a limited-scale contest — extrapolating it as a state-wide verdict against Congress requires a stretch. Meanwhile, the allegations of Siddaramaiah complaining against Shivakumar, if unverified, risk backfiring if Congress publicly rebuts them ahead of the padyatra cycle. The Hiriyur bypoll will be an early, granular test of whether the NDA's Karnataka revival is real or rhetorical.
NationPress
2 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hiriyur Assembly bypoll and when will it be held?
The Hiriyur Assembly bypoll is a by-election for the Hiriyur constituency in Karnataka. The date has not yet been officially announced by the Election Commission; Karnataka BJP chief B.Y. Vijayendra said on 2 November 2026 that the announcement could come 'at any time'.
Why are BJP and JD(S) contesting the Hiriyur bypoll together?
The BJP and JD(S) are allied under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the national level, and Vijayendra said both parties would coordinate to field a consensus candidate and maximise their combined vote share against the ruling Congress in Karnataka.
What is the 'Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy' campaign?
It is a nationwide BJP campaign that the party says is directed against what it describes as the Congress's alleged propaganda against constitutional institutions and conspiracies against the Centre. In Karnataka, it will involve padyatras at all district headquarters, starting with Kolar on Tuesday and Chitradurga the day after.
What did Vijayendra say about Congress factionalism in Karnataka?
Vijayendra alleged, without independent verification, that former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had travelled to Delhi to complain against Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and that secret meetings were underway to install a 'third Chief Minister' in Karnataka. He claimed the Legislative Council election results would intensify internal Congress divisions.
Who is Harish Dwivedi and what role will he play in Karnataka BJP?
Harish Dwivedi is the BJP's National General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge. He attended the Karnataka state office-bearers' meeting on 2 November 2026, advised the party on organisational strengthening, and committed to spending more time in the state to help prepare for upcoming local body and Assembly elections.
