The appointment of former Minister Kanna Lakshminarayana as BJP State president has led to a revolt of sorts in a section of the East Godavari unit. The cadre, particularly the followers of party MLC Somu Veerraju, feel let down.
Rajamahendravaram urban president Bommula Dattu, who resigned his post along with his team, wrote a strongly worded letter to party national president Amit Shah. Mr. Dattu questioned the rationale behind giving the top post to Mr. Lakshminarayana, who crossed over from the Congress, when there were were more experienced and dedicated people in the party like Mr. Veerraju. He warned that more party men would resign if the leadership did not reconsider its decision.
Mr. Veerraju, who has been in Bengaluru for the last two weeks to campaign on behalf of party candidates in the Karnataka elections, was not available for comment.
In sharp contrast, city MLA Akula Satyanarayana, who does not see eye to eye with Mr. Veerraju, and was one of the strong contenders for the post, welcomed Mr. Shah’s decision. Dr. Satyanarayana made it clear that the cadre and the leaders should work under the leadership of Mr. Lakshminarayana.
The MLA’s supporters, including former MLA from the Nagaram constituency Ayyaji Vema, and others at a media conference here on Monday, said that the high command took the right decision.
A house divided
The Akula Satyanarayana and Somu Veerrjau groups have been holding protests and party programmes, including press meets separately, for the last four years. But, Mr. Dattu openly stated that the MLA had no hand in the selection process.
It was learnt that party’s floor leader in the Assembly Vishnu Kumar Raju suggested about a month ago that the central leadership should undertake the exercise in consultation with party MLAs, MPs and other senior leaders, but his appeal apparently had no takers.
Some leaders expressed shock over the denial of the post to Mr. Veerraju who has a good rapport both with the RSS leadership in Nagpur and party leaders in Delhi.
“It has come at an inopportune time for the party which is already facing public wrath on the Special Category Status issue. No BJP leader can articulate his views against the TDP and its president N. Chandrababu Naidu as clearly as Mr. Veerraju, ”said a senior leader .
