The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has issued show cause notices to five senior leaders from Karnataka — Katta Subramanya Naidu, MP Renukacharya, BP Harish, Shivaram Hebbar, and ST Somshekhar — for making public remarks on the party’s internal affairs, which has been viewed as a violation of party discipline.

The notices were issued by Om Pathak, member secretary of the BJP's Central Disciplinary Committee, and the leaders have been given 72 hours to respond explaining why the party should not take disciplinary action against them.

BJP's Official Statement on Disciplinary Breach

According to the show cause notice, the comments made by these leaders on the party's internal matters in public forums amount to a breach of discipline under Article XXV 'Breach of Discipline,' sections (d) & (f) of the BJP constitution.

"Your unwarranted comments on the party's internal affairs in public forums are in clear contravention of the discipline code as enshrined in the Bharatiya Janata Party constitution and rules. Going public on organizational matters amounts to a breach of party discipline," the notice read.

The notice further added, "Please show cause as to why the party should not take disciplinary action against you. Your explanation should reach the undersigned within 72 hours from the receipt of this notice."

Leaders Under Scrutiny: Who Are They?

The five leaders who have been served notices are prominent political figures in Karnataka:

• Katta Subramanya Naidu – Former Minister, considered close to BY Vijayendra.

• MP Renukacharya – Former Minister, known for his allegiance to Vijayendra.

• BP Harish – MLA, also seen as a supporter of Vijayendra.

• Shivaram Hebbar – Senior leader, accused of making anti-party remarks and seen to be aligning with Congress.

• ST Somshekhar – Senior leader, also accused of making statements that violate party discipline.

Factionalism in Karnataka BJP: Growing Tensions

The Karnataka unit of the BJP has been witnessing factionalism in recent months, with differences intensifying between factions aligned with BY Vijayendra, the state BJP president, and those supporting Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and other dissident leaders.

• Supporters of Vijayendra have accused Yatnal and his followers of weakening the party's hold by making statements critical of the leadership.

• The rebel faction has been openly voicing their opposition to Vijayendra’s leadership and seeking his removal from the position.

Why BJP Issued Show Cause Notices: The Context

The disciplinary action comes after weeks of mounting tensions within the Karnataka BJP, where:

• Statements critical of the party leadership were made by certain leaders, causing discontent within the party ranks.

• Public criticism of Vijayendra’s handling of internal affairs further deepened divisions within the party.

Sources indicate that the party leadership had been contemplating action against Shivaram Hebbar and ST Somshekhar for their anti-party remarks. Vijayendra himself had warned earlier that the BJP would take action against dissenting MLAs.

Nature of Allegations and Charges

The allegations against the five leaders primarily revolve around:

• Public remarks criticizing the party leadership and internal affairs.

• Open dissent against the functioning of the state BJP leadership.

• Statements that allegedly weakened the party’s position in Karnataka.

Action Expected If Leaders Fail to Respond

As per the show cause notice, if the leaders fail to submit their explanations within 72 hours, the Central Disciplinary Committee may proceed with disciplinary action.

"Please note that in the event of non-receipt of your explanation within the time stipulated herein, the Central Disciplinary Committee may assume that you have nothing to say, and it may proceed to take a final view in the matter," the notice warned.

Potential Consequences of Non-Compliance

If the leaders fail to provide a satisfactory explanation, they could face:

• Suspension from the party for breach of discipline.

• Expulsion from BJP, which may lead to political isolation.

• Loss of influence within Karnataka politics, diminishing their roles in future electoral strategies.

Internal Dynamics: Vijayendra vs. Rebel Faction

The current factional feud within Karnataka BJP has brought to light:

• Vijayendra's growing influence within the party, which has been challenged by dissidents.

• Rival factions seeking to undermine his leadership by highlighting alleged lapses in decision-making.

• Concerns among party loyalists that internal rifts could harm BJP’s prospects in the upcoming elections.

Political Implications for BJP in Karnataka

The ongoing power struggle within the Karnataka BJP has:

• Weakened party unity, giving the opposition, especially the Congress, an upper hand.

• Divided the voter base, with a section of BJP supporters aligning with rebel factions.

• Potential to affect the party’s performance in the forthcoming local body and assembly elections.

Congress Connection: Allegations Against Hebbar and Somshekhar

Interestingly, Shivaram Hebbar and ST Somshekhar are seen to be close to top Congress leaders in Karnataka, which has added fuel to speculations about possible cross-party alliances.

BJP insiders believe that the anti-party remarks made by these two leaders were aimed at creating instability within the party and paving the way for their political realignment with Congress.

Upcoming Developments: BJP Awaits Response

With the 72-hour deadline approaching, all eyes are now on the responses from the five leaders. The BJP leadership will decide the next course of action based on:

• Satisfactory explanations from the leaders in question.

• Failure to justify their remarks, which could result in disciplinary action.

Conclusion: BJP’s Battle for Internal Stability

As BJP in Karnataka battles internal dissent and factionalism, the issuance of show cause notices to five senior leaders underscores the party’s determination to enforce discipline and unity. However, with rising tensions between rival factions and the looming threat of defections, the BJP’s internal turmoil could have far-reaching consequences on its electoral fortunes in the state.

The coming days will determine whether the leaders under scrutiny can provide a convincing defense or face disciplinary consequences that may reshape the political landscape of Karnataka BJP.

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