Bengaluru: The ‘BSY Abhimanotsava’ on May 9 in Chitradurga, to mark former chief minister BS Yediyurappa‘s 50 years in public life, will double as a political exercise to consolidate state president BY Vijayendra‘s position within a divided party unit. Though officially billed as a commemorative programme, party functionaries say the scale and timing reflect a broader organisational objective — to reinforce Vijayendra’s authority ahead of a string of electoral battles. Since taking charge as state president 30 months ago, Vijayendra has faced resistance from several senior functionaries, with multiple power centres continuing to influence party affairs after Yediyurappa’s retirement from electoral politics. Vijayendra has been accused of not living up to expectations in reviving state BJP’s fortunes, especially in comparison to his father, Yediyurappa, 83. Against this backdrop, the Abhimanotsava is being seen as an attempt by Vijayendra to demonstrate organisational control and mobilise support across regions. Yediyurappa’s influence, especially among Lingayat voters who have traditionally backed BJP, remains central to this strategy. By foregrounding his father’s legacy, Vijayendra is seeking to bridge internal divisions and rally cadres around a widely accepted leadership figure. The invitation extended to Union home minister Amit Shah is also significant. His presence is expected to lend national visibility and signal Vijayendra’s acceptability to party central brass. Sources say endorsement from the top often plays a decisive role in settling internal equations within state units. Mobilisation efforts are underway across districts, with units tasked to ensure large participation. Former deputy CM Govind Karjol said the event is expected to draw “lakhs” and will be attended by MPs, MLAs and community leaders. The turnout will be seen as a measure of Vijayendra’s organisational grip. A strong show could help counter criticism and reinforce his standing within the party. The strategy draws parallels with chief minister Siddaramaiah’s Siddaramotsava in Davanagere in 2022, which preceded Congress’s victory in the 2023 assembly polls. While BJP functionaries have not formally framed the Abhimanotsava in electoral terms, the attempt at large-scale mobilisation is evident. Seniors including opposition leader R Ashoka, Jagadish Shettar and Karjol have backed Vijayendra, but the response from other functionaries remains to be seen. Analysts note that reliance on legacy politics presents both strength and limitation. “Not just the turnout but also participation of senior functionaries is likely to be seen as indicators of Vijayendra’s ability to stabilise the party unit,” said Vishwas Shetty, political commentator. With the next assembly elections in 2028, some observers say the exercise may be too early. But, beyond symbolism, the event is expected to test Vijayendra’s ability to manage factions, coordinate large mobilisation and project a unified party image. If Shah participates, his presence is likely to put pressure on seniors who have so far kept their distance.
