Mangaluru: Karnataka BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra on Thursday dismissed allegations of having political or business links with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, asserting that claims of his involvement in cross-voting during the Legislative Council elections were completely baseless.
Speaking to reporters after visiting Dharmasthala, Vijayendra said he had abandoned his earlier decision to take an oath before Lord Manjunatha regarding the controversy, following advice from senior party leaders.
“The issue of cross-voting in the Legislative Council elections has caused immense pain not only to me but also to lakhs of BJP workers. Being an emotional person, I had announced that I would take an oath in Dharmasthala to bring out the truth. However, party elders advised that the matter should be resolved within the party, and I have respected their guidance,” he said.
Vijayendra, who participated in several programmes in Dharmasthala along with party leaders, said he had come solely for darshan and prayers.
Rejecting allegations of a close relationship with the chief minister, he said, “I have no political or business relationship with D.K. Shivakumar. The accusations that I facilitated cross-voting on behalf of the chief minister are entirely false.”
Standing in the presence of Lord Manjunatha, Vijayendra said the allegations against him were motivated and without evidence. “I only extend due respect to the offices of KPCC president and chief minister. Those spreading falsehoods against me should introspect,” he added.
ನಾಡಿನ ಸುಪ್ರಸಿದ್ಧ ಪುಣ್ಯಕ್ಷೇತ್ರ, ದಕ್ಷಿಣ ಕನ್ನಡ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯ ಶ್ರೀಕ್ಷೇತ್ರ ಧರ್ಮಸ್ಥಳಕ್ಕೆ ಭೇಟಿ ನೀಡಿ ಇಂದು ಶ್ರೀ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ ಹಾಗೂ ಪರಿವಾರ ದೇವರುಗಳ ದರ್ಶನ ಪಡೆದು ವಿಶೇಷ ಪೂಜೆ ಹಾಗೂ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನೆ ಸಲ್ಲಿಸಲಾಯಿತು. ಬರಗಾಲದ ಕರಿಛಾಯೆ ಆವರಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಿರುವ ಈ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ನಾಡಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಉತ್ತಮ ಮಳೆಯಾಗಲಿ, ಬೆಳೆ ಬೆಳೆದು… pic.twitter.com/hIFbapTrZq
— Vijayendra Yediyurappa (@BYVijayendra) June 26, 2026
The controversy erupted after sections within the BJP alleged cross-voting in the recent Legislative Council elections and sought accountability from the party leadership
