BENGALURU: The wait could get longer for those aspiring to ascend the top position in Karnataka unit of BJP as senior central leaders of the party are likely to appoint new chiefs for 14 state units in one go soon after ongoing Assembly polls in five states.
Sources in the party told DC that though many aspirants are lobbying hard to secure the key post, central leaders seem keen to appoint president only in Karnataka but other states as well. For instance, new states like Telangana have yet to see a new leader of the state unit. This issue of appointment of new presidents would be addressed by top leaders only after completion of polls in five states, sources added.
Sensing that appointment of new state BJP unit president was getting delayed, former chief minister B.S.Yeddyurappa had rushed to New Delhi last week to meet party president Amit Shah.
During a brief meeting with Mr. Shah, the former chief minister requested him to take early decision on appointment of BJP chief to Karnataka. Party sources, however, clarified that Mr Yeddyurappa rushed to Delhi to block the candidature of former minister and young Vokkaliga face, C.T. Ravi, propped by the state unit for the top post.
The party was very keen to support the candidature of Mr. Ravi to the top post only to scupper Mr Yeddyurappa. During his meeting with Mr. Shah, Yeddyurappa not only demanded the post for himself but also sought an early decision on election of the new BJP chief for the state unit.
Sources said after the party organization batted for Mr Ravi, another Vokkaliga leader of Bengaluru R. Ashok, did his best to block the rise of Mr. Ravi to the top post. Mr Ashoka not only switched camps and now supports Mr Yeddyurappa for the top post, sources added.
