A legislative session is being held without a Leader of the Opposition – a “cold war” between two senior leaders involved in decision-making of the Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has led to an embarrassing situation in the southern state.
While former Karnataka Chief Minister and senior BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa has been called to Delhi by the party’s central leadership to help finalize the name of the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Karnataka Assembly, News18 has learned that another Senior top-level office-bearers of the BJP have rejected the names suggested by BSY.
Read this also | Will fight legal battle for the reconstruction of temples; Top BJP functionaries keeping an eye on undisciplined leaders: Eshwarappa tells News18
Leaders familiar with the development said Yediyurappa, a member of the BJP’s parliamentary board, is in favor of naming Basavaraj Bommai as the leader of the opposition and has no objection to Vokkaliga being made the state party president.
Leaders say that the biggest challenge for the BJP in nominating Bommai as the Leader of the Opposition will be that the BJP will have to defend itself on the floor of the Assembly as the Congress targets him and the BJP over alleged corruption during his rule.
BJP national general secretary (organisation) BL Santosh is understood to be in favor of electing party national general secretary CT Ravi, Vokkaliga leader and three-time MLA from Hubballi Dharwad Arvind Bellad as the leader of the opposition. Leaders say this combination is not acceptable to BSY. The central leadership wants to decide the name of the state president on the basis of priority. Lok Sabha member Nalin Kateel currently holds the post.
Shobha Karandlaje (Vocal), CT Ravi (Vocal), Ashwath Narayan (Vocal), Basavanagowda Patil Yatnal (Lingayat) and Aravind among the names that have been circulated to party seniors in Delhi as possible candidates for the post of Karnataka state president. Ballad included. (Lingayat), S Sunil Kumar (Idiga), R Ashok (Vocal), and Araga Gyanendra (Vocal). Former minister V Somanna, who comes from the Lingayat community, has also expressed his desire to become BJP state president.
It is learned that CT Ravi, Ashwath Narayan and Sunil Kumar have the support of senior BJP leader Santosh.
“The state president will have to work closely with the cadre and unite them as they are very disappointed after the assembly election results. A strong, dynamic leader who can work efficiently between the central and state leadership is what the high command is looking for,” expressed a senior BJP functionary.
The BJP is facing a tough challenge of choosing the right name for the state party president as the leader has to reinvigorate the BJP cadre, restructure the state unit and also ensure a convincing victory for the party in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Have to make sure. All within a span of 7-8 months.
race factor
Caste composition plays an important role in Karnataka, while selecting leaders for the positions of LOP in the assembly and council as well as state president. Along with the OBCs, the two major communities, Lingayats and Vokkaligas, are generally given adequate representation. The central leadership believes that by making a Lingayat the state party president, the BJP may try to mend ties with the community, which did not vote wholeheartedly for the BJP in the May elections.
Traditionally, Lingayats have voted in favor of the BJP, but the concerted anti-corruption campaign by the Congress against Bommai and the failure to give Lingayats a separate religion tag has split their votes in favor of the Congress as well.
Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje is also the frontrunner for the post of state party president. A senior BJP MLA said, “Not only does he have a good rapport with workers at the grassroots level, but his experience as a minister both at the Center and in the state and working as a state general secretary gives him an edge.” ” who did not want to reveal his name.
Sources say that former Deputy Chief Minister and Malleswaram MLA Dr. CN Ashwath Narayan is keen to take over as the state party president. “He is a strong Vokkaliga leader, but we cannot call him a mass leader who can take the party cadre together and bring about a resounding victory, which the BJP needs to survive in South India at this point of time. There is a dire need,” the politician said. Analyst SA Hemanth.
It is also said that a group of BJP leaders also told the party high command that BSY’s son and first-time MLA BY Vijayendra could also be a suitable choice as he is young and has made big strides with the party cadre as vice-president. Worked at scale. Karnataka BJP. “However, the party leadership considers him inexperienced,” said a BJP leader.
Target for Lok Sabha Elections 28/28
News18 has also learned that the name of former BJP minister Kota Srinivasa Pujari has been finalized as the Leader of Opposition in the State Council.
The high command has made it clear to Karnataka BJP leaders that Lingayat and Vokkaliga votes should go in favor of their party in the upcoming elections and ensure that senior leaders of the community travel across the state and work towards consolidating support.
“Yeddyurappa is deeply troubled by the results of the BJP in the recently concluded assembly elections and has made it clear to the top leadership that if they want a solid victory in the 2024 elections, they will have to accept candidates of their choice as they Will make sure They will work to win all 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka.
The party seniors also know that only BSY can ensure that the Lingayat vote consolidates in favor of the BJP. After being forced to step down as CM, BSY was later promoted to the parliamentary board and given a free hand to choose winnable candidates for the BJP in Karnataka during the May assembly elections. In return for the responsibility, BSY promised to bring the BJP back to power in the state and also in the Lok Sabha elections.
Read this also | Congress awaits stormy budget session over possible bills to scrap electoral guarantees, anti-conversion, anti-cow slaughter laws
The BJP faced a massive anti-incumbency wave in the assembly elections and managed to win only 65 of the 224 assembly seats. In view of the upcoming general elections, the central leadership of the party has asked BSY to fulfill the promise of winning 28/28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka.
“BSY is the smartest political strategist in Karnataka. Under his leadership and guidance, our party is looking forward to tide over this crisis after the unexpected defeat in the recent elections. Senior BJP leader Ganesh Karnik said, “As a party cadre, we look forward to his political acumen to take the party to the glory it deserves.”