Mysuru royal scion and Mysuru-Kodagu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar on Monday, 9 November 2026, stated that the royal family had no desire to drag the Mysuru Dasara celebrations into political territory, adding that the ongoing dispute over palace properties must be resolved by the judiciary — not through public debate. His remarks came amid a simmering row between the Congress-led Karnataka government and the royal family over the conduct of Dasara and palace property ownership.

Royal Family's Stand on the Property Dispute

Addressing a press conference in Mysuru, Yaduveer was unequivocal that legal proceedings were the only appropriate forum for the property controversy. "We are living in a democracy. If there is a dispute over property or any other matter, it should be settled by the court. The question of who owns the property and other related issues will be decided by the judiciary in accordance with the law. There is no use in repeatedly raising the issue in public debates," he said.

He referenced both the Mysore Palace Act of 1998 and the Bengaluru Palace Act of 1996 when asked whether the royal family had been specifically targeted. Yaduveer noted he was only six years old when the Mysore Palace Act was enacted and four years old when the Bengaluru Palace Act was passed, adding that his mother had provided the necessary background on those matters. "Enacting a law to take over the property of a single family can be seen as a misuse of legislative power. However, we cannot decide whether everything that has happened is right or wrong. It is better to allow the courts to decide the matter," he said.

No Politics Over Dasara, Says Yaduveer

On the Dasara celebrations — one of Karnataka's most prominent annual events — Yaduveer stressed that the festival transcended party lines. "We do not want to carry out politics from Dasara, and there is no expectation from the BJP party for politicisation of the issue. If the Dasara festival is conducted successfully, it is a gain for everyone, including all political parties and the city of Mysuru," he said.

He added that the royal family typically placed its suggestions before the state government during pre-festival meetings and did not go public unless those suggestions were ignored. "Only if there is no response do we come before the media and take up the issue politically," he clarified.

A Forward-Looking Stance on 2028

Yaduveer also projected a collaborative vision for Dasara's future, noting that if the BJP returned to power in Karnataka in 2028, the responsibility of organising the festival would fall to them — and they would expect all parties, including the current Congress government, to participate jointly. "Dasara does not need politics," he said.

This comes amid a broader tension between the Congress administration in Bengaluru and the Mysuru palace establishment over event management, property rights, and the degree of royal family involvement in the state-funded celebration. Notably, the Dasara festivities — centred on the illuminated Mysore Palace — attract hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, making their conduct a matter of significant public and political interest.

Key Developments and What to Watch

With the palace property matter now pending before the courts, Yaduveer's comments signal the royal family's intent to pursue a legal rather than a political strategy — at least for now. Critics argue that legislative interventions like the palace acts raise questions about the balance between state authority and individual property rights, an issue the judiciary will ultimately need to address. How the Congress government responds to the royal family's court challenge — and whether the BJP chooses to amplify the dispute politically ahead of the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections — will be closely watched.