BSY’s son named Karnataka BJP president

Senior BJP leader B S Yediyurappa’s younger son B Y Vijayendra, a first-time MLA, was appointed Karnataka BJP president in what was seen as a bid to consolidate the party’s support base among Lingayats, the single-largest community in the state, and to bring about an electoral compact with new ally JD(S), which relies on the support of Vokkaligas, the second most dominant community in the state. The appointment of Vijayendra, who is well regarded for his political acumen and organisational capability, comes months after his father was appointed as a member of the BJP parliamentary board, the highest decision-making body of the party. The appointment of Vijayendra is seen as a step to win back support of Lingayats, which will be crucial for the saffron party in the 2024 polls.