Bengaluru: BJP president Amit Shah's visit to the state for the RSS meeting in Mangaluru has set off speculation that he could discuss replacing state BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa following the party's poor showing in the recent byelections.
But sources close to Mr Yeddyurappa claim a change of leadership cannot take place before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. "If Yeddyurappa steps down now, the party central leadership is not in a position to accept it," they argue.
In their view the party the party high command could ask Mr Yeddyurappa to step down after the Lok Sabjha poll to make way for young turks to lead it.
But sources also note that the Lingayat strongman is capable of serving the party for the next ten years. “He is both able and strong enough for the job,” they assert.
Mr K.Ravindra Shetty, an office bearer of the BJP's Dakshina Kannda unit, says while a change of guard in unlikely in the party at this time, Mr Shah has sounded out Parivar leaders on the possibility.
Meanwhile, Mr Shah is reported to have discussed stepping up the party's agitation on the Sabarimala issue with RSS cadres.
“The party and Sangh strongly support the sentiments of the devotees and temple authorities and need to plan an agitation on the issue soon,” he is quoted as telling the party cadres.
