Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Mar 26: With the term of the present incumbent, Prahlad Joshi, coming to an end, race for the state presidentship of BJP is hotting up. While there is information that either Chikkamagaluru MLA C T Ravi, or Shivamogga MP B S Yeddyurappa, may be chosen by the central leadership for the above post, the name of a veteran BJP leader Govind Karjol also cropping up now.

The central leadership will take into account current political scenario in the state, caste combinations, electoral tactics, ability to lead all the factions in the next election etc before taking a final call. As there is concern about the chief minister Siddaramaiah, getting unstinting support of most of the backward classes, a need is also felt to prop up a leader of caliber from backward classes to tackle the sway chief minister has on Ahinda groups. Towards this end, suggestions to make Vijayapura MP Ramesh Jigajinagi a central minister, or handing over state leadership of the party to senior leader, Govind Karjol, have also been propped up.

Several people feel that chances of Jigajinagi becoming a central minister are brighter. Although BJP has leaders from backward classes like legislative council opposition leader K S Eshwarappa and B Sriramulu in its fold, they have not been able to effectively counter the influence of the chief minister on these classes, analysts say. Yeddyurappa's name has drawn support from party stalwarts like Arvind Limbavali and R Ashok.

There is a faction that backs the idea of making a leader other than Yeddyurappa the state president of BJP. This faction is supporting Ravi's candidature, it is said, and reportedly, party's joint national organizing secretary, Santosh, has been backing Ravi. Although Santosh had initially supported MP Nalin Kumar Kateel for the post, because of the fact that he is not well known all over the state and as he himself has shown reluctance to accept the post, Ravi's name is doing the rounds now. There is also a suggestion to make Ravi the state president and project Yeddyurappa as future chief minister of Karnataka.

National president of BJP Amit Shah, is likely to hold talks with all the units of the party and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leaders before finalizing the name of the state BJP president.