Bengaluru: B.Y. Vijayendra, the Karnataka unit BJP president, emphasized on the party’s dedication to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and dismissed any notions of ‘Operation Lotus’ in the state.

Speaking to the media, Vijayendra addressed queries about whether the BJP would target Congress MLA Laxman Savadi, especially in light of former Karnataka chief minister Jagadish Shettar’s return to the saffron camp after a brief stint with the Congress.

Savadi, a former Karnataka deputy chief minister who joined Congress ahead of the 2023 Assembly polls, stated that he was clear about not rejoining the BJP despite Shettar’s return.

Discussing the party’s preparations for the general elections, Vijayendra acknowledged a BJP wave in the state, expressing openness to those aligning with the party’s ideology. He mentioned that candidate selection for the Parliamentary elections would be finalized by the high command.

Responding to questions about the Mandya seat dispute, where both JD-S and Independent MP Sumalatha Ambareesh are interested, Vijayendra noted that he would discuss the matter with Sumalatha and former chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy.

On the issue of contacting mining baron-turned-politician Gali Janardhana Reddy, Vijayendra confirmed that there had been no communication.