BJP expels Vijayapura MLA Yatnal for 6 years
The move follows months of internal tensions, with Yatnal consistently targeting the state leadership despite multiple warnings
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has expelled Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal from the party for six years, citing repeated violations of party discipline. The move follows months of internal tensions, with Yatnal consistently targeting the state leadership despite multiple warnings.
In a letter issued on Wednesday, Om Pathak, member secretary of the BJP’s central disciplinary committee, said that the MLA’s response to the February 10 show-cause notice was reviewed, but his continued defiance left with no option but expulsion.
“The central disciplinary committee of the party has considered your response to the show cause notice dated 10th February 2025 and has taken serious note of your repeated violations of the party discipline, despite your assurances of good behaviour and conduct in response to earlier show cause notices,” the letter read.
“It has accordingly been decided to expel you for a period of six years with immediate effect from the primary membership of the party, and you stand removed from any party position that you may have held until now,” the letter added.
Yatnal refused to answer questions from the media on Wednesday evening following the suspension orders.
However, hours before his expulsion was confirmed, Yatnal made scathing remarks against Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra and his father, former chief minister BS Yediyurappa, alleging they had weakened the party’s influence in the state.
“The perception that Vijayendra or even Yediyurappa is not truly BJP has gained traction among MPs. This sentiment is echoed by many within the Bharatiya Janata Party and senior leaders in Karnataka over the years. Vijayendra has struggled to carry all leaders along with him,” Yatnal told reporters.
He further blamed the party’s state leadership for BJP’s poor performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections. “There is no question of accepting Vijayendra as our leader. The BJP has lost miserably in the Lok Sabha, even in the region of north Karnataka which has a large Lingayat population, and the reason is Vijayendra,” he said.
Yatnal has been a vocal critic of Vijayendra’s leadership, arguing that the party’s decision to promote him to key positions has alienated senior leaders and party workers. His comments come at a time when BJP is grappling with internal rifts, particularly over the growing influence of the Yediyurappa-Vijayendra faction in Karnataka.
This is not the first time the BJP has taken disciplinary action against Yatnal. In February, the party issued him a second show-cause notice after he continued to publicly criticise state leaders despite earlier warnings. The notice pointed out that despite giving assurances of good conduct, he had persisted in making statements that went against the party’s leadership.
On December 2, Yatnal had received a show-cause notice for his “tirade against the state-level party leadership and defiance of party directives.” He responded with a six-page explanation to Om Pathak, but the party was not convinced by his justifications.
The BJP’s disciplinary action against Yatnal is part of a broader crackdown on internal dissent. Just a day before his expulsion, the party issued notices to several leaders considered close to Vijayendra, including MP Renukacharya, Katta Subramanya Naidu, and BP Harish. Additionally, MLAs ST Somashekhar and Shivaram Hebbar, who have been seen aligning with the Congress, were also served notices.
“Your unwarranted comments on the party’s internal affairs in public forums are in clear contravention of the discipline code,” the notices stated. The party has demanded explanations within 72 hours.
The notices issued to Somashekhar and Hebbar are being viewed differently, as both leaders joined the BJP through “Operation Kamala” after resigning from their Congress seats. The BJP had rewarded them with ministerial positions, but their recent actions have led to speculation that they may switch allegiances once again.