India, March 30 -- Karnataka BJP president B Y Vijayendra has distanced himself from the expulsion of senior leader and MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal, asserting that the decision was made solely by the party's central leadership after prolonged scrutiny. He emphasized that he had made sincere efforts to maintain unity within the party, including attempts to engage with Yatnal.

Addressing the media on Saturday, Vijayendra revealed that for nearly a year, he had endured Yatnal's remarks targeting him and his father, former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, all in the interest of party harmony. He insisted that his patience in the matter should be acknowledged.

His response came after Yatnal appeared on Kannada news channels, launching a fresh...