Former Zilla Panchayat (ZP) president Eranna Kadadi of Gokak taluk has been appointed as president of the BJP Belgaum Rural district unit at a party meeting held at a hotel in the city on Saturday, even as a group of party workers from Arabhavi assembly constituency strongly opposed his choice and staged a walkout.
The outgoing president Mallikarjun Tubaki handed over the party flag to Mr. Kadadi in the presence of BJP city president M.B. Zirali, Suresh C. Angadi, MP, Mahantesh Kavatagimath, MLC, Abhay Patil, MLA, and other senior leaders of the party.
Allegation
Party members from Arabhavi alleged Mr. Kadadi had failed to contribute to the development of Arabhavi or his home taluk Gokak. Instead, they alleged, he enjoyed the comforts as ZP president and wasted 20 months.
The party should have appointed someone capable of bringing all the leaders and workers together, they said, in view of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. The members shouted slogans against Mr. Kadadi before staging a walkout. State BJP president Prahlad Joshi and other senior leaders from the district were conspicuous by their absence.
Mr. Kadadi thanked the State leadership of the party and his supporters. He promised to strengthen the organisation at booth level, and work for the success of BJP candidates in Belgaum and Chikkodi Lok Sabha constituencies.
