Audio clip purportedly of Sadananda Gowda seeking Vijayendra’s ouster sparks state BJP row
Mangalore Today News Network
Bengaluru, Jun 30, 2026: An audio clip purportedly featuring former Karnataka Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda allegedly calling for the removal of BJP state president B Y Vijayendra has triggered fresh turmoil within the Karnataka BJP.
In the viral clip, Gowda is purportedly heard saying that Vijayendra would complete three years as state BJP president in November and that the party should avoid creating confusion before then.
"He (Vijayendra) will complete three years as president by November. Why should we create another confusion for two months? Let us wait for another two months and then send him out. His term will also be over, and no one can complain about removing the president. There may also be no confusion within the party. July, August, September... October, kick him out," the voice in the audio clip purportedly says.
The identity of the person on the other end of the conversation remains unclear, though he is referred to as "Pradeep ji" in the recording.
Sadananda Gowda, however, has categorically denied that the voice in the clip is his.
"I have no comments on this. So far, I have never responded to any audio or video that is not mine, and I will continue to maintain that stand," he said.
When asked whether he intended to file a complaint over the alleged fake audio, Gowda replied, "Why should I file a complaint? Is that my job every day? The matter should be investigated. I never said it should be closed. These are serious issues. Internal matters of a political party should not be discussed in public."
He added that he would offer a detailed clarification only if the BJP’s national leadership sought an explanation from him.
The controversy comes at a difficult time for the Karnataka BJP, which is still grappling with the fallout from the recent Legislative Council elections, where 11 BJP and JD(S) MLAs reportedly cross-voted in favour of the Congress, while one BJP legislator cast an invalid vote.
Although a three-member fact-finding committee has submitted its interim report on the cross-voting episode, the party has yet to initiate any official disciplinary action against those involved.
Since the Council election setback, several BJP leaders have openly expressed dissatisfaction with the party’s state leadership. Differences within the party also surfaced over the proposed BJP legislature party meeting in the temple town of Dharmasthala, which was eventually cancelled following opposition from senior leaders, including Rajajinagar MLA S Suresh Kumar, who publicly criticised the plan on social media.