Speculation is already doing the rounds that Yeddyurappa will be sent to margadarshak mandal — the BJP’s panel for senior leaders — soon after 2019 general election. Although a Brahmin, Kumar was always seen as one who could fill Yeddyurappa’s shoes. Party insiders believe that he, like Ramakrishna Hedge, would have been accepted by the Lingayat community. Now, with Kumar gone, the BJP is in a quandary.
“Everyone knows Karnataka BJP minus Yeddyurappa is like a bow without arrows,” said a senior BJP leader closely associated with Yeddyurappa. “But it is imperative the party finds an alternative leader before he fades into the political sunset.”
There is no dearth of Lingayat leaders in the party, but it is well known that the likes of Jagadish Shettar, V Somanna, Basannagouda Patil Yetnal, Murgesh R Nirani, Basavaraj Bommai and Umesh V Katti do not have the charisma, leadership skill or the appeal which Yeddyurappa has, especially with the community.
“The BJP’s heavy reliance on Yeddyurappa and its failure to nurture a second line of leaders is proving to be the biggest sticking point in its search for an in-house replacement for the former CM,” said another BJP leader, identified with the anti-Yeddyurappa camp led by BJP national organizing secretary BL Santosh. “But Yeddyurappa is solely to blame. He did not bother to create a second rung leadership in the party or the community. At least now he should.”
Though the names of KS Eshwarappa (Kuruba), BL Santosh, S Suresh Kumar, Anantkumar Hedge (all Brahmins), Shobha Karandlaje, R Ashoka and CT Ravi (Vokkaligas) are doing the rounds to succeed Yeddyurappa as state president, the BJP may be forced to replace the Shivamogga strongman with another Lingayat to ensure the community continues to extend its unwavering support to the party.
Ravi, BJP general secretary, said the party’s parliamentary board will decide on the next president of the state unit at an appropriate time. “It is not an MLA seat that anyone can aspire for,” he said. “It has to be decided collectively by state and national leaders.”
It is true there is likely to be a void. However, it's difficult to foresee who will fill it. Three possible names spring to mind — KS Eshwarappa, Shobha Karandlaje and BL Santhosh. From the younger generation CT Ravi could be a contender. However, the issue is not about individuals, but their personality. Hence the limitation.
Prof Harish Ramaswamy | political analyst
It’s probably too early to talk about it. However, keeping in mind the central leadership’s approach and the way it has strategized, I see BL Santhosh emerging as a key face on the horizon. The others at this stage are faction leaders with strong support and opposition. Santhosh has the backing of the RSS too
Sandeep Shashtri | political analyst
from Times of India https://ift.tt/2RTOfur
