Bengaluru: In a decisive move signaling the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) tightening grip on party discipline, the central leadership expelled Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal from the party for six years. The decision, announced on Wednesday, comes after months of public spats and internal tensions, with Yatnal repeatedly targeting key figures within the party, particularly former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and his son, Karnataka BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra.

The expulsion follows a February 10 show-cause notice issued to Yatnal, warning him against his continued public criticism of the party leadership. Om Pathak, member secretary of the BJP’s central disciplinary committee, stated in an official letter that Yatnal’s response was reviewed but found unsatisfactory. The letter underscored that despite previous assurances of good conduct, Yatnal continued to breach party discipline, leaving the leadership with no choice but to expel him.

“It has accordingly been decided to expel you for a period of six years with immediate effect from the primary membership of the party, and you stand removed from any party position that you may have held until now,” the letter stated firmly.

Persistent Defiance Leads to Expulsion: Yatnal’s dismissal did not come as a surprise to many within Karnataka’s political circles. He had been vocal about his dissatisfaction with the BJP’s state leadership, often blaming Vijayendra for the party’s declining influence. Hours before his expulsion, Yatnal lashed out once again, stating that both Vijayendra and Yediyurappa had failed to unify the party and were responsible for its poor performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections.

“The perception that Vijayendra or even Yediyurappa is not truly BJP has gained traction among MPs. This sentiment is echoed by many within the Bharatiya Janata Party and senior leaders in Karnataka over the years. Vijayendra has struggled to carry all leaders along with him,” Yatnal told reporters.

Yatnal’s persistent criticism, particularly against Vijayendra, stems from a belief that the party’s younger leadership has alienated senior members. His remarks have fueled speculation of deeper fractures within the BJP’s Karnataka unit, especially among leaders who feel sidelined by the growing influence of the Yediyurappa-Vijayendra faction.

A History of Rebellion: This is not the first time Yatnal has been reprimanded by the party. The BJP had previously issued him multiple show-cause notices, including one in December 2024, warning him against his tirade against the state leadership. Despite his six-page justification to Om Pathak, the party remained unconvinced by his explanations, leading to the latest and most severe action against him.

With his expulsion, Yatnal now joins a growing list of BJP leaders facing disciplinary scrutiny. A day before the announcement, the party issued notices to several leaders considered close to Vijayendra, including MP Renukacharya, Katta Subramanya Naidu, and BP Harish. Additionally, MLAs S.T. Somashekhar and Shivaram Hebbar, both former Congress members who had joined the BJP through “Operation Kamala,” were also served notices, fueling speculation of a potential realignment in Karnataka’s political landscape.

Crackdown on Dissent or Internal Power Struggle?

The BJP’s decision to expel Yatnal is being viewed in multiple ways—while the party maintains it as a necessary step to uphold discipline, political analysts see it as part of a broader struggle for control within the Karnataka BJP. With the party’s state unit grappling with leadership tensions and internal divisions, the expulsion of a high-profile leader like Yatnal could either restore stability or deepen factionalism further.

As the BJP gears up for future electoral battles in Karnataka, it remains to be seen whether Yatnal’s departure will weaken the party’s Lingayat vote bank or solidify its efforts to consolidate power under the Vijayendra-led leadership. For now, Yatnal remains defiant, leaving political watchers curious about his next move in Karnataka’s ever-evolving political chessboard.