BJP leaders meet to strengthen party, chalk out strategies to fight against Congress in Karnataka
Bengaluru: Senior
BJP
leaders in Karnataka met at former Deputy CM C N
Ashwath Narayan
's house to chalk out strategies to strengthen the party organisation, expand its outreach, and present a united front against the ruling Congress.
The meeting gains significance in light of the upcoming reorganisation of party leadership, including the position of BJP state president, currently held by
B Y Vijayendra
.
Among those present at the meeting were Vijayendra, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, MP Govind Karjol, MLA V Sunil Kumar and some MLAs loyal to party veteran B S Yediyurappa.
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The meeting is being seen as an attempt to project unity within the principal opposition party, which has been facing internal dissent in recent months.
"It was just a routine monthly meeting and not a special one. We had a similar meeting last month, and we'll continue to have them regularly," Narayan told reporters here on Saturday.
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He said the objective of such meetings was to ensure party leaders remained connected and united.
"When Congress MLAs are vocally criticising their own government on the streets, we too must demonstrate greater strength than them," Narayan, who represents the Malleswaram assembly segment, said.
Despite the recent expulsion of three dissenting MLAs, Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, S T Somashekar, and A Shivaram Hebbar, for six years over anti-party activities, differences continue to simmer within what is often called "the party with a difference".
Recently, former Chief Minister
D V Sadananda Gowda
described the situation in the BJP as "embers beneath the ashes", hinting at underlying unrest that could flare up anytime.
Vijayendra, who has been at the centre of the internal tensions, dismissed Gowda's remarks.
"In a large party like the BJP, there are bound to be some differences, but there's nothing like 'embers beneath ashes'," said Vijayendra.
Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka clarified that he could not attend the meeting as he was in New Delhi.
"The meeting was originally planned at my residence, but since I was away, it was held at Ashwath Narayan's house," Ashoka told reporters in Mysuru on Saturday.
He added that his visit to Delhi was to submit a quarterly report to Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
"I've been asked to submit a report every three months. I will be heading to Delhi again in another three months," he noted.
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