The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) high command has summoned Karnataka unit president Vijayendra Yeddyurappa along with Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka to seek an explanation for cross-voting in the state legislative assembly elections held on Thursday, people familiar with the details said.
The cross-vote, which resulted in the Congress getting a majority in the legislative council, has raised concerns in the BJP that the opposition under new Chief Minister DK Sivakumar is consolidating its position in the state. Party leaders are concerned that in the run-up to the 2028 Assembly elections, dissensions within the party and lack of strong leadership may weaken the party’s cadres and attempt to oust the Congress from power.
BJP president Nitin Nabin will meet Vijayendra, Ashoka and national general secretary Radha Mohan Das Agrawal, who is also the state in-charge, on Tuesday, a party official in Delhi said.
“This is a serious violation of party discipline. Such cases are unheard of in the BJP. But more than just a violation of party discipline, it shows the lack of leadership in the state,” said a senior party leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
On Thursday, cross-voting by at least 11 legislators from the BJP and its ally Janata Dal (Secular) helped the Congress win an additional fifth seat in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly elections.
“This case has exposed the chinks in the BJP’s armour. The state leadership needs to explain why discontent within the unit was not addressed and how it ended up helping the opposition. From what we heard, between 5 to 6 MLAs voted dissenting votes,” the functionary quoted above said.
Speaking to reporters, Vijayendra said the party would take strict action against MLAs who toed the party line: “…yesterday, during voting, there were six to seven adverse votes from the JD(S) side as well. From the BJP too, at least four to five adverse votes happened. There is no question of forgiving the MLAs in our party who voted opposite. They will not be forgiven. We also have some information about who may have played this game as a game.”
While knives are pointed at the state president, a Lingayat leader, for failing to keep the team together, a state leader said Vijendra should not become a “fall guy” as the national leadership had “somehow undermined” his position.
“While presidents have been appointed in almost all the states, there is no explanation as to why Vijayendra’s name (to continue as president for another term) has not been announced…” the second person said. Vijayendra’s term as president is certain to end in November.
Cross-voting also shifted focus to organizational appointments. There is speculation that the party may announce a slew of new appointments including a new State Officer and a new Tory Party.
“The national team will be announced soon and there are talks that the BJP may appoint a new OBC LoP to balance the caste equation. With Shivakumar, a Vokkaliga in the Chief Minister’s seat, the BJP is thinking about the possibility of appointing an OBC as LoP…” the second person said.
