Dainik Nation News Portal
Following his exit from the Chief Minister’s role and electoral politics, veteran BJP leader B S Yediyurappa still has significant influence in the party’s affairs in Karnataka. The central leadership is once again turning to the seasoned politician to steer the party’s course in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections-2024. 81-year-old member of the central election committee Yediyurappa is being seen as the “man-of-the-season” for tasks ranging from candidate selection to managing dissidence across multiple constituencies.
The stakes are particularly high for Yediyurappa, as he aims to solidify his son B Y Vijayendra’s position as the state President of the party. Critics have questioned the younger Vijayendra’s appointment over more experienced candidates, and Yediyurappa is tasked with addressing these concerns.
The four-time Chief Minister, known for his mass appeal, especially among the politically influential Lingayat community, is now the central figure in the BJP’s election strategy. The party aims to capitalize on what is being termed as the “Yediyurappa factor,” making him a prominent face alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the state’s electoral campaign.
This move is not without reason. Yediyurappa’s long-standing association with the party, coupled with his grassroots-level work, commands respect and loyalty from a significant voter base. The BJP appears keen on leveraging this factor to secure substantial electoral gains.
Prime Minister Modi himself recently praised Yediyurappa during a public meeting in Shivamogga, the veteran leader’s home district. Modi hailed Yediyurappa’s contribution to the party’s growth in the region, highlighting his significant role in its early days.
However, the BJP’s attempts to sideline Yediyurappa during the 2022 Assembly elections faced backlash. The party suffered defeat, attributed to factors such as corruption allegations, minority votes consolidating behind the Congress, and some Lingayats moving away from the BJP.
Yediyurappa’s influence is visible in the selection of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. He played a pivotal role in fielding candidates like his elder son B Y Raghavendra in Shimoga, Shobha Karandlaje in Bangalore North, and former CM Basavaraj Bommai in Haveri, among others. However, this also led to discontent among some aspirants who were denied tickets.
The party faced dissidence in constituencies like Bidar and Chitradurga, with leaders like K S Eshwarappa openly challenging the party’s decisions. Eshwarappa even announced his intent to contest independently in Shivamogga, where Raghavendra is the candidate.
Despite these challenges, the “Yediyurappa factor” remains a significant asset for the BJP. However, it also poses a double-edged sword, leading to internal conflicts and allegations of nepotism.
Yediyurappa’s role in the BJP’s electoral success in Karnataka cannot be understated. He is considered the chief architect of the party’s growth in the state, along with leaders like Eshwarappa and the late H N Ananth Kumar. The central leadership seems to recognize this, often falling back on Yediyurappa during crucial election seasons.
His retirement from the Chief Minister’s post in 2021, citing age and BJP’s unwritten rule of keeping leaders above 75 years out of elected offices, marked a transition in Karnataka’s political landscape. As the BJP prepares for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Yediyurappa’s influence and appeal continue to shape the party’s strategy in the state.
