Sriramulu and C T Ravi rebut allegations by Incharge General Secretary in the core committee meet

BM Team

Recent developments in Karnataka within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have pushed internal conflicts to new heights, with accusations flying thick and fast. National General Secretary Radha Mohan Das Agarwal has found himself at the epicenter of a dramatic storm, taking on senior state leaders B. Sriramulu and C.T. Ravi with fiery statements that have only added fuel to the fire.

A day after Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced plans for an election to decide the State BJP president, dissenting leaders Ramesh Jarkiholi and Basanagouda Patil Yatnal intensified their attacks on incumbent state party chief B.Y. Vijayendra in North Karnataka. In retaliation, Vijayendra’s faction called for the expulsion of the duo, further fueling the public mudslinging and internal tirade.

Amid the chaos, BJP national leaders intervened, with National General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge Radha Mohan Das Agarwal holding several one-on-one talks with MLAs in Bengaluru. A core committee meeting followed, but instead of resolutions, it sparked more fireworks.

During the meeting, Agarwal accused Sriramulu of sabotaging BJP’s candidate Bangaru Hanumanthu during the Sandur by-election, allegedly leading to the party’s defeat. The claim hit a raw nerve, prompting fiery rebuttal from Sriramulu. “For me, the party is like a mother. I have always been a faithful member and given my heart and soul to it. Prove me guilty, and I’ll resign,” he thundered.
Later, speaking to the press, Sriramulu announced plans to take the matter directly to Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, dismissing the allegations as “baseless.”

Agarwal’s exchanges with C.T. Ravi were no less dramatic. When Agarwal suggested Ravi disliked Vijayendra, Ravi retorted, “Have I ever said that to you or anywhere else?” Tensions escalated when Agarwal accused Ravi of endorsing Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as the next Prime Minister. Ravi hit back: “I have never said anything like that anywhere. Prove it if I have.”

Agarwal tried to warn CT Ravi of his authority to question to which the undeterred Ravi reminded him of his stint where he held similar responsibilities and had delivered his duties meticulously.

With the Karnataka BJP seemingly divided, leaders like Agarwal might want to tread carefully. Karnataka’s leaders don’t bow easily, especially when pushed against a wall.