The arrival of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Bengaluru on Thursday night to take part in various programmes scheduled on Friday has also set off political speculation about a possible rejig of the party State organisation.
The top strategist of the BJP arrives in Karnataka this time amidst a polarised situation marked by controversies over banning Muslim traders from Hindu fairs in some areas, hijab row and call given by some right-wing leaders against halal meat. How he would respond to these issues is being watched keenly.
On Friday morning, Mr. Shah will attend the programme in Siddaganga Mutt in Tumakuru and another programme related to laying the foundation for a medical college in Muddenahalli, besides taking part in the programme of the Cooperation Department at Palace Grounds in Bengaluru. He is also expected to participate in the party’s State core committee meeting besides holding consultations with senior leaders, including Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai before leaving for Delhi.
Though BJP’s incumbent State president Nalin Kumar Kateel’s term ends only by June-July, several party leaders feel that there is a possibility of effecting a change in the organisation much sooner keeping in mind that just about a year is left for the next Assembly elections.
There is also demand for ministerial expansion as well as reshuffle from various ministerial aspirants. It remains to be seen whether Mr. Shah would hold any discussion in this regard during his meeting with party State leaders.
The party leaders and Ministers are on their toes ahead of Mr. Shah’s visit as he is expected to take stock of various political developments, especially the party’s preparations for the polls.
A senior leader in the BJP State unit said, “Mr. Shah’s visit is bound to put the party in the path of year-long poll preparations as his visit would be followed by the arrival of party national president J.P. Nadda to attend the State executive to be held in Hosapete on April 16 and 17.”
Meanwhile, BJP national general secretary and State in-charge Arun Singh too arrived in Bengaluru on Thursday evening ahead of Mr. Shah’s visit. Presence of Mr. Singh during Mr. Shah’s visit indicates the possibility of any decision being taken with respect to party organisation. However, sources in the party make it clear that there will not be any immediate announcements.
Mr. Singh expressed confidence that the party would retain power in Karnataka by winning about 150 of the total 224 Assembly seats. “BJP will retain power on the lines of four State Assembly elections in which the BJP put up a good poll performance,” Mr. Singh told reporters.
