NEW DELHI: Though BJP executed an interesting social-engineering move by rejigging the caste quotas while making forays into the Vokkaliga constituency of JDS in the old Mysuru region, it continues to view the numerically preponderant Lingayats as its core constituency.
Evidently, that is the reason when Lingayat community veteran B S Yediyurappa quit as chief minister, he was replaced by Basavaraj Bommai, another Lingayat leader.
Party insiders say that Yediyurappa’s younger son Vijayendra is set to make his electoral debut with the possibility of him taking on Congress strongman S Siddaramaiah from the Varuna assembly seat.
During his latest visit to Karnataka, home minister Amit Shah had breakfast at Yediyurappa’s place and his gestures towards Vijayendra was a strong indication of his potential elevation in Karnataka politics.
Sources said Vijayendra is keen on fighting against Siddaramaiah in the latter’s constituency of Varuna, Yediyurappa ruled out the possibility, saying that he would contest from Shikaripura.
Addressing reporters, Yediyurappa said: “There is already pressure to field Vijayendra from Varuna, but I have said it though there is pressure from Varuna, he should contest from Shikaripura. So, there is no question of Vijayendra contesting from Varuna for whatsoever reason.”
He added that Vijayendra will fight from “my constituency” (Shikaripura in Shivamogga district), so there is no question of asking him to contest from Varuna.
To a question on Vijayendra’s statement that BJP has got its own strength and he would abide by the party’s decision, Yediyurappa said, “His statement is correct, but I am saying that he will contest from Shikaripura. I will convey this to the party high command and Vijayendra. There is no question of him contesting from Varuna in Mysuru.”
Yediyurappa is sitting MLA from Shikaripura, and has already announced his retirement from electoral politics.
As BJP veterans, including PM Narendra Modi and Shah, have consistently tried to acknowledge Yeddiyurappa’s stature and importance in the party, the state government has been equally careful in its bid to keep the community in good humour.
Evidently, that is the reason when Lingayat community veteran B S Yediyurappa quit as chief minister, he was replaced by Basavaraj Bommai, another Lingayat leader.
Party insiders say that Yediyurappa’s younger son Vijayendra is set to make his electoral debut with the possibility of him taking on Congress strongman S Siddaramaiah from the Varuna assembly seat.
During his latest visit to Karnataka, home minister Amit Shah had breakfast at Yediyurappa’s place and his gestures towards Vijayendra was a strong indication of his potential elevation in Karnataka politics.
Sources said Vijayendra is keen on fighting against Siddaramaiah in the latter’s constituency of Varuna, Yediyurappa ruled out the possibility, saying that he would contest from Shikaripura.
Addressing reporters, Yediyurappa said: “There is already pressure to field Vijayendra from Varuna, but I have said it though there is pressure from Varuna, he should contest from Shikaripura. So, there is no question of Vijayendra contesting from Varuna for whatsoever reason.”
He added that Vijayendra will fight from “my constituency” (Shikaripura in Shivamogga district), so there is no question of asking him to contest from Varuna.
To a question on Vijayendra’s statement that BJP has got its own strength and he would abide by the party’s decision, Yediyurappa said, “His statement is correct, but I am saying that he will contest from Shikaripura. I will convey this to the party high command and Vijayendra. There is no question of him contesting from Varuna in Mysuru.”
Yediyurappa is sitting MLA from Shikaripura, and has already announced his retirement from electoral politics.
As BJP veterans, including PM Narendra Modi and Shah, have consistently tried to acknowledge Yeddiyurappa’s stature and importance in the party, the state government has been equally careful in its bid to keep the community in good humour.
