Bengaluru, June 26: The political turmoil surrounding cross voting in the Karnataka Legislative Council elections has intensified. In this context, Karnataka BJP President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra expressed confidence that internal party disputes would soon be resolved. He stated that he would work alongside senior leaders to address all differences.
During a media interaction while visiting the renowned pilgrimage site, Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala, Vijayendra mentioned that he has been monitoring the developments within the party for the past two and a half years.
He remarked, “My tenure is going well. If I fail to gain the trust of senior leaders, I have no right to remain as state president. I have not done anything wrong nor disrespected any senior leader. The central leadership of the party has entrusted me with this responsibility, and all differences will be resolved in the coming days.”
Following the recent cross voting in the Legislative Council elections, questions have been raised regarding Vijayendra’s leadership. He has also faced allegations of growing closeness to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
Responding to these allegations, Vijayendra clarified that he was appointed to strengthen the organization, not to become the chief minister.
He stated, “I have been given the responsibility to strengthen the organization, not to become the chief minister. I am working as part of a team. If maintaining coordination is a crime, then that is my crime. I have complete faith in my party and its workers.”
When questioned about Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s role in the cross voting issue, Vijayendra said he was unaware of any involvement by the chief minister, but emphasized that BJP legislators cannot vote crosswise on their own accord.
He added, “No BJP legislator voted crosswise voluntarily. Whatever conspiracy may be behind it, the truth will soon come to light.”
In a lighter vein, he praised D.K. Shivakumar’s political style, saying, “D.K. Shivakumar is a versatile chief minister. Wherever he goes, he creates an atmosphere as if he is part of that family.”
Regarding the Bidadi Integrated Township project, Vijayendra asserted that the BJP will continue to advocate for farmers’ rights and will not allow them to be displaced from their land under any circumstances. He indicated that the party would soon announce its next strategy for protests in Bengaluru.
Citing a report from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, he accused the state government of financial irregularities. He questioned what the guarantee implementation committees were doing if there were discrepancies in the scheme. The government should replace the heads of these committees and establish better coordination with officials.
Vijayendra accused the Congress of spreading misinformation regarding the Special Intensive Voter List Revision (SIR) campaign. He stated that the BJP is raising awareness about this campaign across all assembly constituencies in the state, assigning responsibilities to party workers.
Expressing concern over drought-like conditions in the state, Vijayendra mentioned that he prayed for good rainfall, farmers’ prosperity, and fair and profitable prices for crops at Dharmasthala.
– D.S.C.
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