The BJP flag
Credit: DH File Photo
Hyderabad: The BJP central leadership is just a step away from making a formal announcement regarding the appointment of new party chiefs for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
On Monday, only one nomination was received for each state's leadership position. In Telangana, former MLC N Ramachander Rao emerged as the sole nominee, while in Andhra Pradesh, former MLC PVN Madhav filed the only nomination. While notification for the polling to elect state chiefs was issued on Sunday, nominations and withdrawals were to take place on Monday. If there were multiple nominations, the polling was to be held on Tuesday.
The party's central leadership ensured that only those "picked" candidates filed their papers, paving the way for unanimous declarations. The formal announcement is expected on Tuesday morning.
Both leaders share strong RSS backgrounds and have their political roots in ABVP student politics. The race for the Telangana BJP chief position initially saw interest from MPs Eetala Rajender and Dharmapuri Arvind, given their Backward Classes background and the BJP central leadership's previous commitment to appoint a BC leader as chief minister if the party comes to power in the state. Rajender is also a recent entrant into the saffron party from BRS.
However, sources within the BJP told DH that Ramachander Rao, a Brahmin, emerged as a consensus candidate amid the various factions within the Telangana party unit. The sources also revealed that Rao's tenure as state BJP chief will conclude sometime before the next assembly elections, at which point the party plans to select a BC leader to helm the state unit and lead the electoral campaign.
In Andhra Pradesh, Madhav will succeed Rajahmundry MP and TDP founder N T Rama Rao's daughter, Daggubati Purandeswari, as the state BJP chief, marking a significant leadership transition in the coastal state. Since BJP's both allies in Andhra Pradesh—TDP and Jana Sena—are led by upper caste leaders, the saffron party decided to go with BC leader Madhav, who is a second-generation BJP leader.
Madhav's father, PV Chalapathi Rao, was a Jan Sangh veteran who later worked hard to strengthen BJP in coastal Andhra Pradesh. Chalapathi Rao also served as the BJP state unit chief in the past.
The appointment of both leaders reflects the party's strategy of selecting candidates with strong organizational backgrounds and the ability to unite different factions within their respective state units.
The choice of Ramachander Rao ignited mild controversy as Ghoshamahal MLA T Raja Singh Lodh resigned from the party, claiming someone had misled the party leadership about Ramachander Rao. Raja Singh had also aspired to become party state unit chief and wanted to file his nomination on Monday.
"I went to file my nomination and even took the application form. National Council members threatened me not to give their support. They warned me, asking whether I should remain in the party (BJP) or be suspended. Three members signed my application, but I still needed signatures from seven more members. Due to this, I couldn't file the nomination. So I gave a resignation letter to Kishan Reddy and requested him to approve it. I told Kishan Reddy to inform the assembly Speaker that Raja Singh is not their MLA and should suspend him," said Raja Singh.
In his resignation letter, Raja Singh said the decision to pick Rao came as a shock and disappointment, not just to him, but to lakhs of party workers, leaders, and voters who have stood by the party through every high and low.
"At a time when BJP stands at the threshold of forming its first government in Telangana, such a choice raises serious doubts about the direction we are heading. There are many capable senior leaders, MLAs, and MPs within our state who have tirelessly worked for the growth of BJP and who have the strength, credibility, and connect to lead the party forward. Unfortunately, it appears that some individuals, driven by personal interests, have misled the central leadership and taken decisions by running the show from behind the curtain. This not only undermines the sacrifices of grassroot workers but risks pushing the party into avoidable setbacks," said Raja Singh.