Contrary to speculation about the possibility of a change of guard in the Bharatiya Janata Party State organisation after the declaration of the Lok Sabha election results, the party central leadership is learnt to have decided to wait till August for effecting any change.
Rumours were rife that the BJP State president may be changed soon after May 23 as the incumbent, B.S. Yeddyurappa, has completed the term of three years. This was a question often posed to him in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls.
However, highly placed sources in the BJP said the party central leadership had decided to wait till August to effect any change as the party organisation would be busy with with post-poll works.
In other States too
Changing the State president is a national process which would have to be done with several processes being put in place, sources said. “It is not just about who should become the next State president, but also executing various related processes regarding change of guard that would have to be taken up in many States,” sources explained. Presidents of four other State units of the BJP too had been appointed along with Mr. Yeddyurappa in 2016.
Referring to the argument that Mr. Yeddyurappa has completed the full term, sources noted that several State presidents and national office-bearers, including national president Amit Shah, had completed their term in office, and were continuing on an extended term.
On the BJP State leaders’ much publicised plans to come to power in Karnataka by toppling the Janata Dal (S)–Congress coalition government after the Lok Sabha poll results, sources maintained that Mr. Yeddyurappa would continue as State president till August even in the event of him becoming the Chief Minister.
The 76-year-old Mr. Yeddyurappa is holding the post for the fourth term. He is also holding the post of Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly.
