B.S. Yediyurappa stepped down as Chief Minister of Karnataka to make way for Basavaraj Bommai on July 26, 2021, with tears in his eyes. Though projected as a “voluntary” move, it was widely seen as part of an effort to shift the power centre in the State unit of the party away from the regional satrap and Lingayat strongman. However, since then, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Amit Shah have spared no opportunity to publicly acknowledge Mr. Yediyurappa’s stature in Karnataka’s politics and have made him member of the Central Parliamentary Board and central election committee of the party.
Though he has announced his retirement from electoral politics, his son B.Y. Vijayendra was named BJP candidate from his old constituency, Shikaripura, in Shivamogga district in south Karnataka. Mr. Yediyurappa’s role ahead of the Assembly election has come to be particularly highlighted after former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar and former Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi, both Lingayats who constitute the traditional vote bank of the party, rebelled and joined the Congress after being denied ticket. Mr. Yediyurappa has been entrusted with the task of quelling rebellion and ensuring that Lingayat votes do not drift away from the BJP. The 80-year-old is currently busy touring north Karnataka districts where Lingayats are in large numbers.
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