Karnataka BJP in Civil War: Viral Audio of Gowda Plotting Vijayendra's Ouster Triggers Fierce Factional Feud

Bengaluru, June 29: Karnataka BJP is convulsed by the most serious internal crisis in years after an audio clip — purportedly of former Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda speaking in English with a Delhi-level party functionary identified as "Pradeep" — went viral, calling for state president B.Y. Vijayendra to be removed from office by October.

What the Audio Says

In the recording, a voice closely resembling Gowda's argues that Vijayendra should not be removed immediately, as it would invite charges of the BJP being anti-Lingayat and could damage the party. Instead, the voice advocates a calculated approach: "Let Vijayendra continue until August, September, October. His term ends in November anyway. Remove him at that point — his term will be over, no one can say he was ousted, no internal confusion. If you remove him now, his team will wake up. Remove him after his term ends — no problem. This is my opinion. If there are better options, I will abide by the high command's decision."

The clip also expresses confidence in the speaker's grassroots connect: "Even at a bus stand, 25–30 auto drivers come and talk to me — I have that kind of connection with the people."

Vijayendra is set to complete three years as state president within three months. The standard BJP rule limits the state president's term to three years, making the timing of the audio politically charged.

Gowda Refuses to Confirm or Deny

When confronted by media in Bengaluru, Gowda deflected: "No comments. This audio is not mine. I don't speak about audios or videos that are not mine. I don't know about this audio — you find out yourself." He later added that the controversy was a conspiracy against him, and said he had spoken certain things in a core committee meeting. "If central or state leaders ask me, I will answer," he said.

Gowda–Vishwanath Feud Erupts Publicly

The audio crisis has merged with a separate and escalating war of words between Gowda and Yelahanka MLA S.R. Vishwanath — a key Vijayendra loyalist — that began over a Kempegowda Jayanti event in Yelahanka.

Gowda's accusations against Vishwanath: He was invited to the Kempegowda Jayanti function but received a phone call asking him not to attend. Vishwanath allegedly questioned his Vokkaliga identity, prompting Gowda to ask: "Who is he to say I am not a Vokkaliga?" He alleged Vishwanath rose through goondaism and once worked under notorious underworld don Muthappa Rai, while Gowda himself had fought against Muthappa Rai. "Vishwanath has got drunk on money," Gowda thundered. He noted that protests against Vishwanath's statements were being held in Puttur and Sulya in coastal Karnataka.

Vishwanath's sharp counter: "Let Sadananda Gowda produce documentary evidence for his charges. Let him prove in court that I have links to Muthappa Rai and that I misappropriated money at the BDA. I have only heard Muthappa Rai's name — I have absolutely no connection with him." When he was BDA chairman, the Lokayukta conducted a raid and found not even a mustard seed of wrongdoing. He issued a stark political challenge: "The day Sadananda Gowda proves his claims in court, I will retire from politics. But if he cannot prove it — what will he do?" He denied ever calling Gowda a non-Vokkaliga: "I only said they were descendants of Kempegowda." In a pointed personal jab: "When he was trying to become Chief Minister, I was the one who waited 24 hours outside a hotel for him." He added: "By getting protests against me in the coastal region, he has made me a bigger leader — thank you, Sadananda Gowda. If we open our mouths further, this gets much bigger. It is better for you if you stay quiet." He confirmed plans to file a defamation lawsuit.

BSY Faction Fires Back

The viral audio triggered immediate fury in the Yediyurappa camp. Senior BSY faction leader M.P. Renukacharya, speaking in Davangere, warned: "Some people became CMs and ministers with Yediyurappa's blessings. If anyone conspires against us, we will not sit silent. Vijayendra has done outstanding work in party organisation." He alleged that cross-voting occurred during the recent Legislative Council election to damage Vijayendra's reputation. "If anyone speaks disparagingly about Vijayendra, we will not tolerate it. We will contest the 2028 elections under his leadership. National leaders will not make a change — he will continue."

Background

The incident deepens the long-running rift in Karnataka BJP between the Yediyurappa–Vijayendra faction and the anti-Vijayendra grouping. Vijayendra's term as state president expires in November 2026 — the same deadline the audio advocates as the moment for his removal. Party figure G. Mahesh was reportedly expelled from the party for six years amid the broader controversy.