Expelled BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal made a striking declaration in Belagavi on Wednesday: “If the BJP’s central leadership insists on keeping B.Y. Vijayendra as the State unit party president, I will launch a new party called JCB, founded on Hindutva principles.”
Clarifying the unconventional name, Yatnal explained that “JCB” isn’t a reference to the earthmoving equipment. Instead, it’s an acronym signifying a party open to welcoming defectors from all major political outfits: the Janata Dal (Secular), the Congress, and even the BJP itself.
Yatnal drew parallels between national and state politics, stating, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rise was due to the people, not party leaders. Similarly, the public now anticipates Yogi Adityanath to succeed him nationally. In Karnataka, there’s a clear desire for Basanagouda Patil Yatnal to become Chief Minister.” He asserted confidence in the BJP’s willingness to reinstate him, but only if his primary condition is met: the removal of Mr. Vijayendra from the State unit’s presidency. “If my terms aren’t accepted, I will proceed with forming a new party. I command significant support across the state and am widely recognized as an authentic Hindutva proponent,” he declared.
Further stirring the political pot, Mr. Yatnal foresees dramatic shifts in Karnataka’s political landscape within months. “Mallikarjun Kharge is slated to replace Siddaramaiah as the Chief Minister. I possess credible insider information from the Congress,” he claimed. He elaborated on an impending ‘November revolution,’ promising a new Chief Minister, though not from the current list of aspirants. Instead, he boldly predicted that AICC Chairman Mallikarjun Kharge would ascend to the state’s top executive position.