Pawar defends change of District BJP unit president

In a sudden development, former MLA G B Shivakumar(GBS), who was the District BJP president was replaced by H P Mahesh,General Secretary of the party. An announcement to this effect has been made by State BJP President K S Eshwarappa.

Addressing a news conference here on Friday, former MLA E Maruti Rao Pawar said the decision has been taken to strengthen the party as well as to clear confusion over the president of the women unit. It is said that Sujatha Krishna was informed that she has been chosen as president of women’s unit which was denied by GBS till yesterday.

It is said that during the discussion on presidentship a few months ago, the name of H P Mahesh was making rounds. But, some members demanded that the name of new president should be announced on the spot which led to chaos. Ultimately, the party decided to elect GBS as the president.

To a query, Pawar said since the party fared badly in the recently concluded ZP polls, it became inevitable to change the district leadership. The experience of GBS would be utilised at the state-level, he added. The new chief would take all leaders into confidence and strive for the unity in the party, he opined.

Meanwhile, BJP women wing president Prema Yuvaraj said that if GBS is replaced as the district president then she would also quit her post and work as ordinary worker.

GBS says

Former MLA G B Shivakumar said he would abide by whatever decision taken by the party including change in leadership at this juncture. The party, instead of informing the change all of a sudden, should have shown courtesy of at least discussing the issue before announcing their decision, he felt.

“I am still in the party and will continue to remain so”, he said and added that there are doubts among the members whether the new president would be able to strengthen the party in the grass root levels, he said.