New BJP state chief: Aim to win all Lok Sabha seats in next year's polls

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: Newly-appointed Karnataka BJP President B Y Vijayendra on Wednesday formally assumed charge at the party office here and set a target to win all Lok Sabha seats in the state in next year's elections.

Former Chief Ministers B S Yediyurappa, Basavaraj Bommai and D V Sadananda Gowda and senior party leaders were present on the occasion in a show of strength and unity.

The 47-year-old first time MLA and son of Yediyurappa, a BJP veteran and member of the party's allpowerful Parliamentary board, was appointed to the post on November 10.

In his address, Vijayendra said he would work sincerely to live up to the expectations of the party leadership.

"I want to assure the party leadership and every 'Karyakarta' that I will work sincerely for the party. I have set a target of winning all 28 Lok Sabha seats in the state in the Parliamentary elections," he said.

The target, according to him, is achievable. "When my father Yediyurappa set a goal of winning 25 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, many people laughed at it but he demonstrated it," Vijayendra pointed out.

Underlining the fact that the party was routed in the 2023 Assembly elections, Vijayendra said it is essential to win all the 28 Lok Sabha seats from Karnataka to strengthen the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

BJP legislature party meeting on Nov 17, to elect LoP : Vijayendra

Karnataka B J P president B Y Vijayend ra on Wednesday said that the Legislature Party meeting is scheduled to take place on November 17, during which the election of its leader, who will also be the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, is likely to be announced.

Earlier in the day, Vijayendra formally took charge as the state BJP president.

"The Legislature Party meeting is scheduled for 6 PM on Friday. Central observers will be coming. According to information, two observers will be coming. We will get to know tomorrow, as to who will be coming," Vijayendra said in response to a question from the media.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, the Leader of Opposition is likely to be announced on the same day, based on the opinion of all the legislators, in the presence of Central observers.

The BJP, which is the principal opposition party, has not appointed its legislature party leader yet, who will also play the role of Leader of Opposition in the assembly.