flying in Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party insiders say that with a hectic schedule, Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to the southern state on Tuesday is expected to create quite a stir.
BJP sources say that discussing a possible change of leadership in the state will top the senior leader’s agenda as well as clarifying the names of ministers to expand the Basavaraj Bommai cabinet.
Shah is in Karnataka as part of a series of events, including the closing ceremony of the Khelo India University Games that began in Bengaluru a week ago.
He will also pay tribute to 12th century social reformer and Lingayat saint Basavanna on the occasion of Basava Jayanti.
Shah’s visit to the state comes at a time when the BJP-led government is reeling under various crises. controversies Including rising communal tension and a barrage of allegations of corruption.
BJP sources told News18.com that the Union minister is expected to hold a one-on-one meeting with senior leaders like Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, state party chief Nalin Kumar Kateel as well as former CM BS Yediyurappa on governance-related issues. . Prepare action plan for 2023 assembly elections, and reiterate target 150 seats out of a total of 224
Though party leaders said they were confident that there would be no change in the chief minister’s post, they added that “anything can happen in the BJP if the senior leadership puts its mind to it”.
This comes against the backdrop of recent statement by National Organizing Secretary BL Santhosh that top BJP leaders have the courage and strength to implement wholesale changes in leadership in states, triggering fresh speculation on such a possibility in Karnataka Went.
However, party sources say that changing the CM at this time will not be an easy task. Not only will this send a negative message, but it will also upset the BJP’s caste-based applecart.
Bommai himself, who replaced BS Yediyurappa as the Chief Minister, was the choice of the former CM. BJP central leaders understand the clout of Yeddyurappa’s state unit and the party’s vote bank, one that they would not like to agitate before the elections. The BJP is determined not to disturb the Lingayat vote bank, which proved very costly during the 2013 and 2018 elections. In 2013, Yediyurappa quit the party and formed the Karnataka Janata Paksha, which won six seats and made a dent in the Lingayat vote bank of the BJP.
“Unless BSY agrees, Bommai cannot be shifted out. Even if that happens, the CM post will have to find another Lingayat face and as of now there is no other acceptable face other than Bommai – both Yeddyurappa and the central leadership. At this point it is important to make sure that too many changes are not made that could lead to dissatisfaction. There is a need to keep the ministers happy, to satisfy the Lingayat vote bank and north Karnataka leaders and ensure that an acceptable face runs the government,” said a senior party functionary on condition of anonymity.
BJP leaders said another top priority would be to reduce the impact of recent controversies such as the hijab ban, halal controversy and allegations of corruption on the minds of voters.
A senior BJP leader told News18, “All the leaders are very concerned about the image of the party and its possible performance in the coming elections.” “But for the Hijab, Halal and Harsha (right-wing leader) and Chandru murder cases, we were on the backfoot. We have not been able to divert the focus of public debate from corruption and inflation.”
Another state leader agreed that the BJP government has not been able to build a strong narrative against the opposition Congress.
“Rather the government has found itself embroiled in matters that have led to embarrassment and allegations of divisive politics. We’ve only been on issues like firefighting and commission-led corruption, PSI Recruitment ScamThe delay in the infrastructure project has hurt the image of the party,” a North Karnataka BJP leader told News18.com.
During his visit a month ago, Shah stressed at the state core committee meeting that the BJP should form the next government on its own and set a target of 150 seats for the 2023 state elections. The leader had also asked the state unit to prepare a comprehensive workable plan for the elections, protest and be ready to deliver or face the axe.
During Shah’s April visit, there was growing demand within the party to appoint a new state unit chief in place of Nalin Kumar Kateel ahead of the 2023 elections. A BJP functionary, on the condition of anonymity, said, “Though no decision was taken at that time, this visit may see some significant changes in the party structure.”
News18.com has learned that party bosses are contemplating changing the leadership of the state unit as Qateel’s performance has not been considered satisfactory and the party has also found itself on the back foot and lacking in issues like allegations of corruption. . Those demanding a change in leadership say they found the party president ineffective in dealing with political attacks from the opposition.
“The President has not been effective enough to deal with the likes of Siddaramaiah or DK Shivakumar on issues like the Mekedatu project or corruption. He is neither visible on the ground nor confronting the Congress. In turn, this has made the party weak whereas it has not. He too has not been able to gain the confidence of the CM and ministers,” said another senior BJP leader, wishing anonymity.
If any changes are made, the name of Udupi Chikmagalur MP Shobha Karandlaje is in the news for party president. Karandlaje, who had been marginalized on the instructions of the BJP high command, may now get a chance to rise.
“We will not be surprised if they make Shobha ji the party president. This will be the reward for his silence all these months. It also sends a message to the state unit that every leader follows the orders of the party and will be completely sidelined if found crossing the border.”
The party will also consider filling up the remaining five posts in Bommai’s cabinet. The CM had mentioned last week after lunch with Shah in Delhi that cabinet expansion would be discussed during the visit. The Bommai cabinet currently has 29 ministers against the full strength of 34.
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