Bengaluru/IBNS/UNI: Former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa's son Vijayendra Yediyurappa has been appointed as State BJP President, according to the appointment letter issued by the party's state in-charge Minister Arun Singh.

"BJP National President Jagat Prakash Nadda has appointed Vijayendra Yediyurappa, MLA as state president of Karnataka, BJP.

This appointment comes into immediate effect," the letter said.

Vijayendra replaces Nalin Kumar Kateel who had completed his three-year term as Karnataka BJP president and was given an extension last year ahead of the assembly elections held in May.

He thanked party leadership and said that he would travel across the state and strengthen the party under the guidance of central leadership and state leaders.

He would also organise the party under the guidance of leaders like state party leaders like Yediyurappa, KS Eshwarappa, Govind Karjol, Basavaraj Bommai, Basangouda Patil Yatnal, V Somanna, and R Ashoka, and among others.

Vijayendra said the party leaders must ensure winning the maximum number of Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka and strengthen Prime Minister Narendra Modi's hands.

Responding to a query that he was given the post as he is Yediyurappa's son, Vijayendra said he does not think that way.

The 47-year-old is a first-time MLA from Shikaripura in Shivamogga district. He was Bengaluru Yuva Morcha secretary and was later anointed as the general secretary of Karnataka BJP Yuva Morcha.

In 2018, Vijayendra was denied a ticket to contest from Varuna in Mysuru. However, he was made the state vice-president in August 2020 after the party won the by-polls in KR Pete and Sira under his leadership.