The BJP is yet to appoint a Leader of the Opposition even 1.5 months after the announcement of the Karnataka Assembly election results.
Published Jun 26, 2023 | 10:46 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 26, 2023 | 10:47 PM
All is not well in BJP after the Assembly elections. (supplied)
One and a half months after the declaration of the results of the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections, the time is more than ripe for the BJP to announce the party legislators’ choice for the Leader of the Opposition, which is now expected to happen by the end of June.
The BJP central leadership is likely to call the Legislature Party meeting on 30 June to elect the Leader of the Opposition, claimed those in the know.
It may be noted that the first three-day session, where the elected legislators were administered the oath of office, concluded without a Leader of the Opposition.
In the recently concluded Assembly elections, the Congress dethroned BJP in Karnataka by winning 135 seats.
The saffron party settled for 66 seats, the JD(S) got 19 seats, the Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha and Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha got one seat each, and two were independents.
The BJP is the main Opposition party in the house as it got the second-highest number of seats in the Assembly polls.
Former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai, MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, and a few other names are making rounds for the post of the Leader of the Opposition (LoP). The party high command is likely to bring down the curtains by electing the LoP on 30 June.
Apart from those two leaders, Padmanabanagar MLA R Ashok, Karkala MLA Sunil Kumar, Thirthahalli MLA Arga Jnanendra, Rajajinagar MLA S Suresh Kumar, and Malleswaram MLA Dr CN Ashwath Narayan are the frontrunners for the post, claimed sources in the party.
However, BJP state general secretary and MLC N Ravikumar told South First: “Around five-six senior leaders’ names are making rounds for the post of the Leader of the Opposition. The party has not yet announced the date for the Legislature Party meeting to elect the LoP.”
He added: “While electing the LoP, the party will consider the ability of a leader to fight, tackle, and highlight the issues of the ruling government inside and outside the House. The seniority is also likely to be taken into consideration.”
In the last one and a half months, the party’s central leadership chaired the first Legislature Party meeting on 21 May. However, the Opposition leader was not elected in that meeting.
On condition of anonymity, a senior BJP leader told South First: “The party has already shortlisted the names for the Opposition leader. Bommai, Yatnal, and Sunil Kumar are frontrunners for the post.”
The politician added: “The party is looking for an efficient leader, one who is capable of fighting against the government. This appointment is expected to play a key role in consolidating the party’s vote base in Karnataka for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.”
The leader also added: “The high command is all likely to chair a Legislature Party meeting on 30 June. The Opposition leader will be elected in that meeting.”
As the term of the BJP state president and Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel has concluded, the BJP is likely to appoint a new head for its state affairs in a month.
In spite of his term ending in August 2022, Kateel’s tenure was extended considering the Karnataka Assembly polls. After the party’s election debacle, the party is looking for a new face to replace Kateel.
Union Minister of State for Agriculture Shobha Karandlaje, BJP national general secretary CT Ravi, former ministers R Ashok and Ashwath Narayan, MLC Ravikumar, Hubballi-Dharwad West MLA Aravind Bellad, and other names are making rounds in the party, claimed a BJP leader.
“The names of a few senior leaders are making rounds in the cadre for the post. The party is looking for a leader who is authoritative, commanding, assertive, and can tour the state to strengthen the party,” MLC Ravikumar told South First.
He added: “It will take time to name the new president. However, in a month or two, the high command is likely to appoint a new president for the state party unit.”
Senior BJP leader V Somanna, who lost both seats he contested in the Assembly elections, has appealed to the party leadership to appoint him the state president of the BJP.
“I have faced many elections in my life and have been with the BJP for the last 15 years. I have always taken whatever task was given to me seriously. Give me an opportunity. I have 45 years of political experience and I am the one who takes everyone along. Give me 100 days,” Somma requested the high command on 23 June.
He also said he met the central leadership — except Prime Minister Narendra Modi — on the matter.
