The BJP high command is all set to bite a bullet by removing Karanataka BJP's strongman BS Yediyurappa and bring a new face to lead the only state south of Vindhya which embraced saffron party. The question that miffs people of Karnataka is whether BSY will leave the seat ceremonially or will he give a tough time for aspirants and BJP high command.
Interestingly, the BJP High command is upset with the Karnataka opposition for their silence on BSY Govt. While Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa's own party is planning to unseat him siting his age and party's future in the state, his government seems to receive unforeseen wishes for long life from the principal opposition party- the congress. Though the difference between KPCC president DK Shivkumar and Opposition Leader Siddaramiha is on its peak, the leaders seem to be united in their stance that the longer Yediyurappa stays in power, the better for them in the next assembly election. Thus Yediyurappa is getting support from an unusual quarter, which has sabotaged RSS's future plan for Karnataka. The Congress insiders insist that they don't see benefits in disrupting the Yediyurappa government, BJP leaders are wary of frequent meetings between its dissenting MLAs and leaders of the Congress.
Yediyurappa has irked RSS by warning people against communalism Covid-19 to calling for all-party meetings, and even asking his spokesperson to stay away from communal statements has created a livid atmosphere within the BJP and RSS. State's RSS cadre is not happy with the Chief Minister as he is not allowing to target minorities for Covid 19 spread and he has openly warned leaders who were doing it by accusing Tablighi Jamath for the spread of covid 19.
Will BJP bite the bullet by asking Yediyurappa to leave, who is the real architecture of Karnataka BJP with little RSS backing?
Seventy-seven-year-old Yediyurappa is an exception at a senior level in the BJP, as the party has a national policy of retiring leaders once they cross the 75-year mark. However, BSY holds on to power with his astute leadership skills and community backup. BJP leaders with strong RSS background are trying to roll the ball for the new head with clear RSS background who could be the mascot of Hindutva in the State. According to close is aides of Yediyurappa, it will be a colossal risk if they ask him to handover the position now and the party will not be in the same position as it is today once BSY is inactive in the party.
Not finding a suitable leader among Lingayat community to replace Yediyurappa is yet another headache for the BJP high command as without the community support BJP cannot stay in power. State RSS leaders do not believe that Yediyurappa will be ready for a smooth handover, they are expecting some high-level political drama for which hey have asked B L Santhosh to be in touch with party leaders to avoid such humiliation once again in the state.
Whether or not BSY yield to high command's direction is a big topic that is spinning around the political corridors of Karnataka even during covid 19 pandemics. The RSS has made it clear repeatedly that he needs to be replaced. According to his close aides, the replacement will not be an easy process as high commands think. Yediyurappa is a mass leader who can divert over 15 per cent of BJP votes in the state, and he has already proved that in the past. However, Amith Shah and Modi do not want to continue with Yediyurappa and leaders within BJP are of the opinion that he will be replaced by the end of this year at any cost. What will be BJP without Yediyurappa is a big question? The state does not have anyone who can replace Yediyurappas legacy and political acumen, which is a need for state BJP chapter.