B. Y. Vijayendra, president of BJP unit in Karnataka
| Photo Credit: File photo

BJP’s state unit president B Y Vijayendra has expressed confidence of continuing in the post.

“When I am saying that I will strengthen the party and bring it to power in the State with a clear majority, it means that I will continue as the party’s State president”, Mr Vijayendra said while speaking to reporters in Mysuru on January 17.

Mr Vijayendra’s remarks come in the wake of continuing dissent in a section of the party over his continuation as president of BJP’s Karnataka unit.

Mr Vijayendra said he was confident about the party high command’s faith in his leadership and added that he will live up to their expectations.

Claiming that the party’s central leadership will soon bring an end to the confusion in the party over the issue, Mr Vijayendra reiterated that he will take everybody into confidence.

As the party’s State president for the last one year, Mr Vijayendra said he had strived against the ‘corrupt’ Congress Government in Karnataka, including a padayatra from Bengaluru to Mysuru against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The party workers were happy with him, he claimed while adding that he will focus on the challenges before him.

With regard to his recent remarks in Koppal against former Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi, who has identified himself with the rebel group, Mr Vijayendra said he had asked Mr Jarkiholi to be careful while talking about senior leader and former Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa.

He said the party workers will be hurt if Mr Yediyurappa is criticized. Mr Yediyurappa’s contribution in helping the BJP, whose popularity was restricted to urban areas, make inroads into the rural areas is immense.

Mr Vijayendra criticized the State Government for the poor law and order situation in Karnataka by citing the gunning down of two men from an ATM cash-refilling agency in Bidar, rape of a girl in Kalaburagi, and the mutilation of cows’ udder at Chamarajpet in Bengaluru.

“Such incidents are not taking place in any State, except Karnataka,” he said while accusing the State Government of doing little to rein in the ‘anti-nationals’ among the minorities.

He accused Home Minister G. Parameshwar of remaining silent on the poor law and order situation and blamed the ‘appeasement’ policy of the Congress Government in the State.

With regard to the contractors of Karnataka Electronics Development Corporation (KEONICS) Limited writing to President Droupadi Murmu reportedly seeking mercy killing over the delay in clearing their bills, Mr Vijayendra accused the Congress government, which had described the previous BJP government as a ’40 per cent commission’ government, of demanding commission of 60% to clear bills. “People are saying this is a 60% commission government,” he said.