Bengaluru: A purported audio clip allegedly featuring former chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda discussing the possible removal of BY Vijayendra as Karnataka BJP president has added to the growing buzz over the latter’s future.The controversy comes amid heightened speculation over the removal of Vijayendra following the recent cross-voting episode in the legislative council elections.The audio, which has gone viral on social media, allegedly contains a conversation suggesting that Vijayendra should continue until Oct, by which time he would have nearly completed three years as state BJP president, before being replaced to avoid internal unrest.In the clip, the voice attributed to Gowda says the party should avoid creating controversy and instead prepare the ground over the next few months before effecting a leadership change. Another voice alleges that BJP national general secretary (organisation) BL Santhosh and union minister Pralhad Joshi are playing a “double game”. The voice attributed to Gowda responds that he only believes in God.Gowda, however, dismissed the clip as fake and denied that the voice was his. ”The audio clip circulating on social media is fake. The voice is not mine. I do not know anything about it and will not respond to false audio clips or videos attributed to me,” he said.BJP MP Kota Srinivas Poojary urged caution, saying the authenticity of the clip should be verified before any conclusions are drawn. He said Vijayendra was appointed by the party’s national leadership and that party workers should cooperate with him till the party leadership decides on his future.
