With the anointment of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime ministerial candidate, power equations in the State unit appear set for change.
Soon after the exit of the former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa from the party, it was national general secretary and L.K. Advani’s aide Ananth Kumar who was calling the shots in the State unit. Now, the party circles feel that the change in the power equations at the national unit is bound to impact decision-making in the State unit also.
With Mr. Yeddyurappa, almost, all set to rejoin the party, speculations are rife that this may impact the choice of candidates for the Lok Sabha elections and also other issues.
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Some second-line leaders feel that the change in power equations may become perceptible at the core committee meeting scheduled for the coming week. There is a likelihood of the meeting discussing the issue related to Mr. Yeddyurappa’s rejoining the party.
KJP open letter
The Karnataka Janata Paksha’s open letter to Mr. Modi stating that it is confident that he will “set things right in the BJP”, while taking all people with him, is being viewed in political circles as a public appeal to Mr. Modi to expedite the process of unifying the splinter groups.
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Soon after the BJP announced Mr. Modi as its prime ministerial candidate on Friday, KJP’s campaign committee chairman and Mr. Yeddyurappa’s aide V. Dhananjay Kumar wrote a public letter to Mr. Modi in the party’s letterhead, stating: “You are aware that on account of adverse political developments in Karnataka, myself and our esteemed leader B.S. Yeddyurappa had to part with the BJP. I am sure you will set things right in the BJP and take all people along with you in your task of nation-building.” Meanwhile, the BJP workers continued to celebrate Mr. Modi’s anointment. On Saturday, several party workers, led by Chickpet corporator A.L. Shivakumar, took out a procession from Mysore Bank Circle to Balepet Circle and distributed sweets.