Kolar BJP unit gearing up for poll

Consensus elusive: Several in fray for post of district president

 
Elections for the party’s district unit president and Zilla Pramukh will be held on January 6.

There are many contenders for the posts while others don’t want to take ‘risk.’ Speculations are rife over re-election of the present incumbent of the post while there is also expectation of bringing fresh blood into the party.

Though the party is ruling in the State, there is lack of organisation at the district unit. However, the number of contenders in this election is unprecedented, sources in the party said.

There are rumours that the district unit president S N Sriram will be elected again, though he has not openly announced his candidature yet. There are also allegations against him that he doesn’t take other leaders of the party into confidence. Y Surendra who contested for the Council seat and D S Veeraiah who contested in Lok Sabha elections had also alleged that lack of unity in the district unit was reason for their defeat.

During the total 3-year period Sriram had got only 15 months to work and hence he is said to have orally requested the party senior leaders to continue him as the president. However, some of the local leaders rule out the possibility.

Those who are in the fray include former legislator B P Venkatamuniyappa, organisational secretary N Lakshmaiah of Bangarpet, Jagadeeshwarachari who has been serving RSS, Jana Sangha and BJP for the past 35 years, the newly joined J Ramaraj, Urubagalu Srinivas and Pramila.

Jagadeeshwarachari said, he would work sincerely if the opportunity is given on the basis of priority and ability. Even if others get the president’s post he would be loyal to the party’s decision.

Ramaraju said the candidate who has the ability to strengthen the party for the coming elections should be elected as president. Besides,  senior party leaders have given preference to unanimous election and chances of electing the candidate based on his seniority and service are more, said the sources in the party.