How BS Yediyurappa’s exit may have cost BJP in Assembly polls in Karnataka?

“Victory and defeat aren’t new to BJP. Party workers need not be panicked by these results. We will introspect about the party’s setback. I respectfully accept this verdict,” said BJP leader Yediyurappa on the party’s defeat in Karnataka.

BS Yediyurappa, the veteran Lingayat leader, who is already 80 years will have to look forward and strengthen the party in Karnataka ahead of Lok Sabha polls next year

Last year, Yediyurappa announced that he was giving up his constituency, Shikaripur for his younger son, B Y Vijayendra (he won). Ahead of the elections, the BJP seemed to realise their mistake and sought to play up Yediyurappa’s role in the campaign, but it did not work.

“Yediyurappa because of his old age was not very active in campaign and restricted himself to central Karnataka and Hubballi region. The Lingayats did not see Bommai as able replacement for him. Moreover, Bommai did not have appeal beyond Lingayats as Yediyurappa had,” said A Naryana, a political science professor at Azim Premji University told to Hindustan Times.

Political analyst Chambi Puranik said that Yediyurappa is the key to the BJP doing well in 2024.

“He will also be loyal to BJP because the future of his two sons – BY Vijayendra and BY Raghavendra – is in the hands of the party high command,” Puranik added.

“Victory and defeat aren’t new to BJP. Party workers need not panic at these results. We will introspect about the party’s setback. I respectfully accept this verdict,” Yediyurappa said on Saturday, adding that the party would do well in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.