<p>The BJP on Saturday made Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in charge of the party’s election effort in poll-bound Karnataka.</p>.<p>With an eye on Tamil votes, the BJP has picked its Tamil Nadu president and former Karnataka cadre IPS officer K Annamalai as the election co-incharge.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/state/karnataka-politics/pressure-cookers-digital-clocks-freebies-galore-in-poll-bound-karnataka-1187810.html" target="_blank">Pressure cookers, digital clocks... freebies galore in poll-bound Karnataka</a></strong></p>.<p>These organisational appointments were announced by BJP national general secretary Arun Singh, who oversees the party’s affairs in Karnataka.</p>.<p>According to one BJP leader, the party hopes to attract Tamil-speaking votes in Bengaluru and parts of Kolar and Chamarajanagar with Annamalai’s appointment.</p>.<p>“Bengaluru city and its surrounding areas comprise 30% Tamil-speaking population. Annamalai is emerging as a Tamil leader in his state as well. He was also known as a ‘tough cop’ during his stint as an IPS officer in the state. Hence, he will be able to communicate in Kannada as well to attract young voters in the state,” a BJP leader from Chikmagalur pointed out.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/state/karnataka-politics/vote-for-party-which-gives-importance-to-education-and-health-atishi-marlena-in-karnataka-1186543.html" target="_blank">Vote for party which gives importance to education and health: Atishi Marlena in Karnataka</a></strong></p>.<p>Pradhan, too, is no stranger to Karnataka. He has managed the BJP’s affairs in Karnataka since the days of late Ananthkumar. In the past, Pradhan worked as a bridge between the state and central leadership when former chief minister BS Yediyurappa broke up with the BJP before the 2013 Assembly polls.</p>.<p>“He knows the state very well. He has details about various power centres working in the state,” a BJP source said about Pradhan, who is now seen as close to Union Home Minister Amit Shah.</p>
<p>The BJP on Saturday made Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in charge of the party’s election effort in poll-bound Karnataka.</p>.<p>With an eye on Tamil votes, the BJP has picked its Tamil Nadu president and former Karnataka cadre IPS officer K Annamalai as the election co-incharge.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/state/karnataka-politics/pressure-cookers-digital-clocks-freebies-galore-in-poll-bound-karnataka-1187810.html" target="_blank">Pressure cookers, digital clocks... freebies galore in poll-bound Karnataka</a></strong></p>.<p>These organisational appointments were announced by BJP national general secretary Arun Singh, who oversees the party’s affairs in Karnataka.</p>.<p>According to one BJP leader, the party hopes to attract Tamil-speaking votes in Bengaluru and parts of Kolar and Chamarajanagar with Annamalai’s appointment.</p>.<p>“Bengaluru city and its surrounding areas comprise 30% Tamil-speaking population. Annamalai is emerging as a Tamil leader in his state as well. He was also known as a ‘tough cop’ during his stint as an IPS officer in the state. Hence, he will be able to communicate in Kannada as well to attract young voters in the state,” a BJP leader from Chikmagalur pointed out.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/state/karnataka-politics/vote-for-party-which-gives-importance-to-education-and-health-atishi-marlena-in-karnataka-1186543.html" target="_blank">Vote for party which gives importance to education and health: Atishi Marlena in Karnataka</a></strong></p>.<p>Pradhan, too, is no stranger to Karnataka. He has managed the BJP’s affairs in Karnataka since the days of late Ananthkumar. In the past, Pradhan worked as a bridge between the state and central leadership when former chief minister BS Yediyurappa broke up with the BJP before the 2013 Assembly polls.</p>.<p>“He knows the state very well. He has details about various power centres working in the state,” a BJP source said about Pradhan, who is now seen as close to Union Home Minister Amit Shah.</p>
