Signs of infighting in the Karnataka BJP were revealed when Gokak MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi launched a scathing attack on state president BY Vijayendra. The MLA called Vijayendra a ‘bachcha’ (child) whose presidency was not going to last long.
Speaking at a public rally in Belagavi on Saturday, Jarkiholi said: “Through this platform, I want to send a stern message to Vijayendra: Vijayendra, you are a bacha (child). You will not remain the state president. Yediyurappa is our leader, and there is no second thought about it. Whenever I have spoken about Yediyurappa, I have always been cautious and respectful. We have always loved and respected him.”
The rally was organised by Jarkiholi and his supporters, and he was responding to Vijayendra’s reprimand “to control his tongue” when he spoke of BS Yediyurappa.
Vijayendra, on Thursday, criticised Jarkiholi for speaking ill of the former chief minister. Reportedly, Jarkiholi had bad-mouthed the veteran BJP leader, who is also Vijayendra’s father, at a public forum.
“Ramesh Jarkiholi should speak carefully,” Vijayendra told mediapersons in Koppal when asked about Jarkiholi’s comments. “Yediyurappa is a statesman and an activist. He, along with Ananth Kumar, built the party by traveling to every nook and corner of the state. Ramesh Jarkiholi joined the party only recently. When he speaks about Yediyurappa, he should control his tongue,” the state chief said.
Vijayendra also advised Jarkiholi that if he had any issues with the party’s functioning in Karnataka, “he should address them with the leaders in Delhi instead of speaking to the media about Yediyurappa.”
“By doing this, he is hurting the sentiments of party workers. It will become difficult for him to roam freely,” Vijayendra said.
In response, a Jarkiholi accused Vijayendra of misleading people with “fake news.”
“He has warned me that I cannot roam freely anywhere in the state. Let me make it clear: I will come to Shikaripura. You can announce the date, and I will be there. I will start my agitation from Shikaripura, right in front of Vijayendra’s house. I will accept the challenge. I won’t bring any police or gunmen, I will come alone,” Jarkiholi challenged Vijayendra.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka has been constantly dealing with internal problems, as leaders were reportedly split into two factions.
