After suffering a crushing setback in the Karnataka Assembly elections, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ‘s problems have worsened as groups and a lack of party coherence openly manifest themselves.
Contrary to widespread assumption, the party is currently experiencing mudslinging as its leaders engage in a blame game and attempt to blame the poll disaster on one another. Concern has been raised because the blame game, played in the entire front of the public, can potentially widen existing organisational fractures. This continues the previous political conflict between the B.S. Yediyurappa supporters and opponents.
Image Source: The Wire
Most of the introspection meetings that the BJP has scheduled to examine the causes of its election disaster have seen open clashes between leaders. Senior leaders, ex-Ministers, MPs, and MLAs are a few of them making accusations and defending themselves publicly. The State unit has failed to reorganise itself to start preparing for the legislative elections that will take place the following year, which has embarrassed the party and disturbed top leaders.
Although it has been more than a month since the election results were announced, the BJP has yet to choose the head of its legislative party who would hold the role of Leader of the Opposition. Similarly, the party has yet to name a replacement for Nalin Kumar Kateel, who served as State president till last year when his term ended.
Image Source: The South First
In order to set the scenario for electing the Leader of the Opposition, sources within the party stated that central leadership would take the initiative to see that a legislature party gathering is called by July 2, the eve of the start of the parliamentary session.
The party’s cadre, who was already discouraged by the party’s disastrous election performance, is now even more hurt by the public mudslinging. Party State Leaders Admit That The Poll Loss Has Disproved The Myth That The BJP Central Leadership Is “Invincible” Has Added To The Party’s Post-Poll Problems.
A party State Leader said, “Earlier, there was a fear among the State leaders about the party high command and its invincibility. But this perception has eroded after the poll debacle. Several leaders are trying to take advantage of the situation and making efforts to assert themselves.” However, some emerging leaders feel that this churning is essential before things change and stabilise.
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Interestingly, the BJP’s national leadership has remained studiously silent during the entire drama playing out in the Karnataka unit. After Karnataka’s election fiasco, none of the senior central leaders even made the trip there, suggesting that they may not have devised a firm strategy for reviving the party in the State.
The BJP Meeting
A meeting of the party’s State officeholders will take place on Friday in Bengaluru. Aside from recent mudslinging within the party, it is anticipated that the programmes the party organisation must undertake and the concerns that the party must address in the upcoming legislative session will be discussed.
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BJP Leader Served Notice
The former Minister, M.P. Renukacharya, has received a show-cause notice from the BJP disciplinary committee, requesting an explanation as to why no action should be taken against him for openly attacking party officials.
On Wednesday, Mr Renukacharya attacked the party for refusing to give some senior officials a ticket to run in the Assembly elections. He cited this as one of the causes of the party’s failure. Additionally, he objected to the party’s decision to remove veteran leader B.S. Yediyurappa from his position as chief minister. He said the move was an attempt to use his services to gain electoral advantage.
KARNATAKA BJP FACTIONALISM:#WATCH: IT'S #BJPvsBJP in Karnataka; Former BJP MLA of Honnalli AC Renukacharya Attacks BL Santhosh.!
"Today I'm not scared, I've no fear—One who doesn't have ability of winning a Gram Panchayat Election has took control over the Party (BJP)". pic.twitter.com/BPrKuhKC8t
— Gururaj Anjan (@Anjan94150697) June 29, 2023
Mr Renukacharya was requested in a letter from the State Disciplinary Committee, which is chaired by Lingaraj Patil, to respond within a week. Meanwhile, sources said such a show-cause notice would be issued to a few more leaders. Sources said the party was keen to put an end to internal tussle before the commencement of the State legislature session on July 3.
“The Budget session of the Congress government is crucial for us in terms of providing a platform for the party organisation to recover from the poll debacle ahead of the next Lok Sabha elections,” said a senior leader of the party.
