Infighting Deepens in Karnataka BJP as Sriramulu Hits Back at Leadership

The BJP is facing internal turmoil after former minister B Sriramulu expressed his intent to quit, angered by BJP national general secretary Dr. Radha Mohan Das Agrawal’s accusation that he contributed to the party's defeat in the November 2024 Sandur bypoll. The BJP candidate lost to Congress by 9,649 votes in the traditionally unwinnable seat.

During the BJP core committee meeting, sparks flew as Sriramulu, a key Scheduled Tribe (ST) leader, refuted the allegations and demanded proof. He claimed his fallout with former ally Gali Janardhan Reddy, a mining baron, might have influenced Agrawal’s accusations. Reddy, who is re-establishing himself in Ballari, was accused by Sriramulu of conspiring against him politically.

Sriramulu also criticized BJP state president B Y Vijayendra for not defending him during the meeting. Other senior leaders, including Basavaraj Bommai and D V Sadananda Gowda, reportedly disapproved of how Sriramulu was treated.

This episode highlights growing infighting within the BJP, compounded by parallel factions led by MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal challenging Vijayendra’s leadership.