Overview
- A purported audio clip that went viral on June 29 features a voice claiming to be D.V. Sadananda Gowda saying B.Y. Vijayendra should be removed in October after his term ends.
- Gowda has categorically denied the clip’s authenticity, telling reporters the voice is not his and that he will not respond to falsely attributed audio or video.
- Senior BJP figures gave mixed public reactions, with M.P. Renukacharya warning they will not tolerate a conspiracy against Vijayendra and Kota Srinivas Poojary urging verification before drawing conclusions.
- Vijayendra met the BJP national leadership in New Delhi and later visited the Dharmasthala pilgrimage site to reassure supporters and reject suggestions of any link with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
- The episode builds on recent cross-voting in Karnataka’s Legislative Council polls and highlights that the state party president is chosen by the national leadership, making any leadership change dependent on a Delhi decision and further verification of the tape.