Left out in the cold by his party, BSY sulks

BENGALURU: A day after the BJP central leadership announced the nominations for the Karnataka Legislative Council, a sense of despondency has hangs heavy around former CM B S Yediyurappa’s household. The Lingayat strongman spent the day in a pensive mood, according to sources close to him.

Forget the denial of ticket to B Y Raghavendra, none of the candidates called on him at home not did the state leaders invite him for filing of nomination, he is said to have confided.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the party leadership conveyed the decision regarding denial of ticket to Vijayendra through a party leader from the state on Monday evening itself. The information was given to Vijayendra himself as the top brass found it awkward to inform Yediyurappa directly. Vijayendra broke the news to his father.

Party circles are abuzz with talk over whether it was a deliberate move to keep Yediyurappa out of the loop or fear of confronting him after denying a Council ticket to his son.

Reacting to the developments, Yediyurappa said on Wednesday that much importance need not be attached to the denial of ticket to Vijayendra and stressed that he is confident the party will give his son a bigger role in the future.

“The party will not let down those who have the capabilities and remain loyal. Our aim right now is to ensure that the BJP returns to power in 2023 and all our efforts should be focused in that direction. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we will come back to power”, Yediyurappa remarked.

Clarifying that B L Santhosh is not connected to the denial of ticket to Vijayendra, Yediyurappa said his name is being dragged in by the media needlessly.

“Vijayendra is now the party state vice-president. He will get bigger responsibilities, but that is left to Modi and party president J P Nadda. There may be some changes soon”, he said.

On whether Vijayendra will be considered for the next Assembly election, Yediyurappa quipped, “There is no need to discuss this now. When the time comes, we will see.”