The elevation of Amit Shah as national president of the BJP on Wednesday has raised the expectations of a leadership change in the party’s Tamil Nadu unit, now headed by Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan.
State BJP leaders told The Hindu that a new State president could be appointed within the next two weeks, as the national leadership would want the new team under Mr. Shah to settle down.
Curiously, the fact that Mr. Shah is not much familiar with the State leaders has brought in a sense of uncertainty over who will succeed Mr. Radhakrishnan.
Informed sources said both national executive member Tamilisai Soundarrajan, considered a probable to the post, and State organising secretary Mohanrajulu, another strong contender, camped in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Both met Mr. Shah and congratulated him on becoming president. Other leaders are expected to follow suit in the next few days. “All the contenders would want to make themselves familiar to Mr. Shah as his opinion would have a huge bearing on the selection of the next State president,” a senior leader said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Given the background of Mr. Shah, who likes to work behind the scenes and keeps in close touch with the grassroots organisation, there was a feeling that he would look for a similar person to man the State units, he said.
“The fact that not many in the Tamil Nadu unit is close to him is a good thing. Merit will matter more than lobbying in such a scenario,” said the leader, adding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s opinion would also have great significance.
Several leaders, including H. Raja, S.R. Sekhar and C.P. Radhakrishnan, are said to be vying for the post. Though she had ruled herself out of the race, party sources said, Vanathi Srinivasan was very much in the contest.
Senior leader L. Ganesan may be considered for a national role, the sources said.
