The BJP has delivered an impressive performance in the recent Karnataka Legislative Council elections to four seats, but it is struggling to find its bearings in the state, party leaders have said.

While the attention may be slowly shifting to the coming electoral battles in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab early next year, Karnataka remains important for the BJP because it is the only southern state where it has been in power and can potentially return to the helm when the elections are next held in 2028. However, BJP insiders said the party was far from being battle-ready in the state amid lingering leadership problems, differences between senior leaders, and the absence of a clear strategy to take on the D K Shivakumar-led Congress government.

“The departure of Siddaramaiah was a huge opportunity for the party but its political performance since then illustrates its predicament,” said a BJP leader familiar with developments in the south.…