BJP high command's notice made Yatnal silent

Mangaluru: The ‘rebel camp’ within Karnataka BJP, led by Bijapur City MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal, has gone uncharacteristically silent over the past few days. The faction, which had been vocal in its criticism of state president BY Vijayendra, has suddenly ceased its attacks, leaving party insiders speculating about the reasons behind the strategic pause.

While some view this as a "wait and watch" tactic, others believe the silence is a direct consequence of the notice issued to Yatnal by the BJP high command. Regardless of the reason, the once-open war of words within the party has momentarily cooled.

According to party sources, efforts are underway to broker a compromise between the warring factions. Yatnal’s decision to stay silent is seen as an attempt to avoid further antagonizing the high command.

"Yatnal is a Hindutva hardliner and commands influence within the party. He has valid reasons for opposing Vijayendra, and the leadership is willing to listen—provided he maintains party discipline. While internal dissent is tolerated, taking it to the media repeatedly could annoy the party leaders. The high command’s notice appears to have been a warning signal, and any further outbursts could invite stronger action," a senior BJP leader told Deccan Chronicle.

Having already conveyed his stance to senior leaders in Delhi, Yatnal sees little need for further public statements. With the high command expected to take a final call on the Karnataka leadership within the next week, his faction appears to be in a wait-and-see mode.

However, the numbers game does not favor Yatnal. A majority of district presidents—the key voters in the state BJP chief’s election—are already elected. They are aligned with Vijayendra. Even if Yatnal’s faction pushes for an internal election, Vijayendra is likely to emerge victorious. This reality may have prompted Yatnal’s team to temporarily step back and assess the high command’s decision.

Sources suggest that the BJP leadership is likely to take a middle path to prevent further factionalism. While Vijayendra’s removal as state president appears less likely, the party is said to be considering a structural reshuffle to accommodate Yatnal’s faction.

"The primary concern for Yatnal’s camp is to prevent Vijayendra from emerging as the BJP’s chief ministerial face in Karnataka. The party’s track record—most recently in Delhi—shows that state presidents do not necessarily become CMs," the BJP leader added.

The high command may retain Vijayendra as president while ensuring adequate representation for Yatnal’s team at various levels to defuse tensions.

At the heart of the party’s dilemma is the balancing act between two powerful figures. While Yediyurappa continues to be a formidable force among party workers and the Lingayat vote base, Yatnal has positioned himself as a key Hindutva voice, especially in the absence of Anantkumar Hegde from electoral politics.

For now, the rebel camp’s silence speaks volumes. But whether this is a tactical retreat or a temporary lull before another storm remains to be seen.