Though BSY is not contesting in the May 10 assembly polls, his son BY Vijayendra is fighting from the traditional Shikaripur seat, which the former CM has represented 8 times. The BJP will be relying heavily on Yediyurappa’s popularity in the Lingayat community to keep its grip over the bloc.
The Lingayat community is a prominent Hindu sect in Karnataka, accounting for over 17% of the state’s population. They are known for their distinct religious practices, including wearing of a sacred thread called the ‘linga’ and their worship of the Hindu god Shiva. The Lingayats have historically been a significant vote bank in Karnataka politics and have played a crucial role in deciding the outcome of several elections.
BSY, who belongs to the Lingayat community, has been a key leader in the community’s political mobilisation in Karnataka. He has been a prominent face of the community since the early 1980s and has played a crucial role in consolidating the Lingayat vote in favor of the BJP.
Yediyurappa’s political career began in the late 1970s when he joined the BJP, which was then a minor player in Karnataka politics. He quickly rose through the ranks of the party, and in 1983, he was elected MLA from the Shikaripura constituency in Shimoga district.
Over the next three decades, BSY became one of the most prominent leaders of the BJP in Karnataka. He held several important positions within the party, including that of the state president, and played a crucial role in building the party’s support base in the state.
However, BSY’s greatest contribution to Karnataka politics has been his leadership of the Lingayat community.
BSY’s popularity within the Lingayat community stems from his efforts to promote Lingayat interests in Karnataka. He has been a strong advocate for the community’s demands, including the recognition of Lingayats as a separate religion, the establishment of a separate Lingayat board for the management of religious institutions, and the reservation of seats for Lingayats in educational institutions and government jobs.
In addition to his efforts to promote Lingayat interests, BSY’s leadership has also helped the BJP to consolidate its support base in Karnataka. The Lingayat community has traditionally been a Congress vote bank, but BSY’s efforts have helped the BJP to make significant inroads into the community.
Tumultuous tenures as CM
BSY’s importance in Karnataka politics is evident from the fact that he has served as CM of the state on four occasions.
His first stint as CM was in 2007 and it lasted just 7 days as the JD(S) refused to support the government over disagreement on sharing of ministries.
BSY’s second stint as CM came in 2008 when the BJP won a second consecutive term in the state assembly elections. However, his tenure was short-lived, and he was forced to resign in 2011 following allegations of corruption in a land deal.
In November 2012, he resigned from the BJP and formally launched the Karnataka Janata Paksha. He came back to the BJP fold in 2014. In 2016, the BJP re-appointed him as the president of the Karnataka unit.
BSY’s third stint as CM came in 2018 when the BJP emerged as the single largest party in the assembly polls. His stint, however, lasted just 6 days as the party could not prove majority in the House.
His fourth time as CM came in July 2019 after several MLAs from the ruling JD(S)-Congress alliance resigned from the government. BSY served for two years before resigning in July 2021 due to internal party pressures, and Basavaraj Bommai — also from the Lingayat community — was given the top post.
Despite his resignation, BSY’s importance in Karnataka politics remains undiminished. He continues to be a key leader of the BJP in the state and is seen as a vital link between the party and the Lingayat community.
Yediyurappa’s popularity among the people of Karnataka can be attributed to his pro-people policies and his commitment to the state’s development. His contribution to Karnataka’s politics and development has earned him the title of the “Lion of Karnataka”.