Mysuru: Ahead of their crucial meeting with the BJP high command in New Delhi today (Feb. 3), the faction of BJP rebels led by MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, who have openly turned against BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra, performed a special puja at Chamundi Hill Temple yesterday.

Former Ministers Ramesh Jarkiholi and Kumar Bangarappa visited the Hill Temple and offered prayers to Goddess Chamundeshwari, seeking divine strength for their political battle. However, rebel team leader Yatnal and former MP Prathap Simha, who is closely associated with the faction, were notably absent, fuelling speculation.

The rebel leaders have scheduled a meeting in Delhi today before formally approaching the high command with their grievances against Vijayendra. As a prelude, Jarkiholi and Bangarappa offered prayers at Chamundi Hill, symbolically preparing for the upcoming political confrontation, sources said.

Adding to the intrigue, former Minister Aravind Limbavali, also part of the rebel faction, recently met BJP National President J.P. Nadda. Now, with the entire rebel group set to meet the high command, the situation has taken on added significance.

“We are fed up with Vijayendra’s autocratic ways. That’s why we are working to replace him,” a source from the rebel faction revealed. “We will urge the Central leadership to allow free and fair elections for the State President’s post.”

The source further stated that before meeting the party’s Central leaders, Yatnal and his group will hold discussions with MPs to identify a consensus candidate acceptable to both the ‘neutral’ faction and the Yatnal camp.

With Karnataka BJP now divided into two factions, all eyes are on how the Central leadership will respond — whether they will pacify the rebels or take a firm stand to quell the growing dissent.

Meanwhile, Vijayendra has met the high command multiple times over the past four months, reportedly lodging complaints against the rebels. However, neither Union Home Minister Amit Shah nor Nadda has issued any warnings to the dissenting leaders, leading to escalating factional conflicts within the State BJP.

It remains to be seen whether the party’s top brass will intervene decisively or allow the infighting to fester further.