Amid infighting Karnataka BJP struggles to choose state chief: report

Bengaluru: As the BJP is still reeling from the defeat five months ago in Karnataka, the party is considering new leadership for the state amid reports of infighting.

Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shobha Karandlaje and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra, the son of former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, are said to be the frontrunners for the post of party's state president in Karnataka.

According to sources, the high command has also considered the candidatures of former DyCM Dr. C.N. Ashwath Narayan, BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil, former national general secretary C.T. Ravi, former minister and staunch Hindutva leader V. Sunil Kumar.

Presently, BJP MP Nalin Kumar Kateel is holding the position of state president and his term has ended.

The discussion for a new chief has been going on since the Assembly elections in Karnataka in which the party suffered defeat five months ago.

The opposition Congress is taking potshots at the saffron party for its inability to appoint the candidates for the posts of State President and the Leader of the Opposition in the state legislature.

The winter session would be held in December in the state and the party leaders are expecting that the high command will make a decision on this and save them from the criticism of Congress leaders. However, the party's top leadership is still focused on the elections of five states in the country.

Sources explained that the high command is treading cautiously as the strategy failed utterly in the Assembly elections and the infighting between former CM Yediyurappa and National General Secretary B.L. Santhosh was not allowing the party to take a decision in this regard. With both leaders wanting to bulldoze each other’s interests, it has become difficult for the high command as it did not want to lose ground in the state.

The top leadership snubbed Yediyurappa and gave prominence to Santhosh, sources said. A total of 72 new faces were given tickets to contest the Assembly elections and senior leaders Jagadish Shettar, Laxman Savadi, K.S. Eshwarappa and a slew of others were denied tickets. PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah made maximum trips to the state and held massive rallies and road shows across the state.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah after registering a thumping victory ridiculed that wherever PM Modi and Amit Shah went the Congress candidates won with a huge margin and BJP candidates were defeated in the surrounding areas as well. Not able to digest the defeat, the BJP high command had kept the state leadership at bay.

The high command does not want to burn its hands again and is not considering the proposals either by Santhosh or Yediyurappa in toto, sources said.

Sources explain that Shobha Karandlaje, once considered a protégé of Yediyurappa, is now close to Santhosh as well in the changed circumstances. Her work as a minister under Yediyurappa was appreciated and she hails from the Vokkaliga community. Shobha Karandlaje is known for fierce Hindutva comments.

Vijayendra on the other hand has already made a mark in state politics. He is projected as the Lingayat community leader. Vijayendra’s organisational capabilities are appreciated and he had ensured the victory of BJP candidates in south Karnataka districts where the saffron party never won earlier.

IANS with edits