Chip of old block ready to replace BJP stalwart

This has not come as a surprise for the high command as it was aware of the fact that the tall leader of the BJP, Yediyurappa, would not contest in the 2023 Assembly polls due to his advanced age

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

Bengaluru: Decks are almost cleared for State BJP Vice President BY Vijayendra to contest from the Shikaripur Assembly constituency in Shivamogga district, which his father and former CM, BS Yediyurappa represented seven times.

After the veteran BJP leader announced on the floor of the Assembly that this would be his last appearance in the House as a member, following his retirement from electoral politics, it became almost certain that Vijayendra would take over the mantle.

Yediyurappa has said it time and again that he would retire from electoral politics, but he confirmed that on the floor of the House in the presence of almost every member only recently. This did not come as a surprise for the high command as it was aware of the fact that the tall leader of the BJP, Yediyurappa, would not contest in the 2023 Assembly polls due to his advanced age.

In 2018, the name of Vijayendra was almost finalised for the Varuna seat in the Mysuru district against Dr Yatindra Siddaramaiah, son of the then Chief Minister Siddaramaiah but the idea was dropped at the last minute. It is said that Siddaramaiah had requested Yediyurappa not to field his son from Varuna to ensure the easy entry of Dr Yatindra into the Assembly.

At that time, Yediyurappa obliged and asked his son to drop the idea of contesting from the Varuna constituency despite pressure from the entire unit of the Mysuru City BJP and district unit. Had Yediyurappa allowed his son to take on Dr Yatindra, the political scenario of the district would have changed completely.

Quid pro quo time?

Having been obliged by the BJP strongman in the previous polls, it would be binding on Siddaramaiah to field a not-so-strong candidate against Vijayendra in the Shikaripur constituency to help Vijayendra romp home.

In the previous election, the BJP was on strong ground due to which it emerged as the single-largest party even if short by sixseven seats for a minimum majority, but the Congress position was weak. The situation now is quite the opposite, with the saffron party on shaky ground whereas the Congress looks strong in many districts. It is to be seen to whom the Congress will give a ticket in the Shikaripura constituency to take on Vijayendra.

BJP sources told News Trail that the high command has assured a ticket to Vijayendra in recognition of his father’s contributions to the party in the last four decades, and asked him to start working in the constituency from now onwards to woo the voters.