BJP leadership has its task cut out

Selection of new State unit chief to replace Kummanam Rajasekharan

The Bharatiya Janata Party national leadership is gearing up for a revamp of the State unit with a view to refurbishing its image and installing a popular leader to head the party ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Party sources told The Hindu that along with one or two senior leaders who hold prime position in the State unit, the central leadership may also zero in on the second line, especially those who had been vocal in targeting the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

RSS nominee

A relatively amenable nominee of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) or one who could impose his views on the party apparatus are reported to be under consideration.

Caste and community equations may also come into play while choosing the president. Since the incumbent Kummanam Rajasekharan was too senior a leader, the State RSS was finding it difficult to have its way on crucial decisions.

Unilateral decision

A unilateral decision to offer a gubernatorial role to Mr. Rajasekharan is reported to have been made to accommodate him outside the organisational structure and prevent any rumbling from among his loyalists.

Even if the party were now to decide to accede to the Bharath Dharma Jana Sena’s demands in the context of the Chengannur bypoll, it would not be seen as yielding to any community.

The decision also stems from the realisation that Mr. Rajasekharan, though a committed leader, lacked the political dexterity to contain the factional feud and augment the organisational structure of the party and also the National Democratic Alliance framework.

His indecision on organisational issues, a series of allegations that rocked the party’s image, and setbacks in the Assembly, general, and byelections all went against him.

Factional hostility had aborted an RSS bid for rapprochement among different groups.

The new arrangement would provide sufficient leeway for the central leadership to have its way in the revamp.

Lateral entry

Though not as president, the leadership is still exploring the possibility of poaching prominent leaders from other parties. Prime positions may be gifted to such lateral entrants and they will be projected as the party’s face in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

The choice in all likelihood will be unilateral and the central leadership, miffed at the performance of the State unit, is unlikely to consult the local leadership, the sources said.