NEW DELHI: The BJP on Tuesday made two major changes in Telangana by appointing Union culture and tourism minister G Kishan Reddy as the state unit’s president and MLA Etela Rajender as election management committee chairperson.
The BJP leadership has effected the crucial changes just three-four months ahead of the assembly election in Telangana where the party is facing an uphill task. It shows the party’s resolve to give its best and pose a tough fight to the ruling K Chandrasekhar Rao-led Bhartiya Rashtra Samiti (BRS) government in the state.
Till it miserably lost to the Congress in Karnataka in May this year, the BJP was emerging as a strong contender to BRS. The Congress seemed to be lagging behind the two parties.
However, by losing power in Karnataka, the BJP’s chances were spoiled in Telangana. Karnataka was the only southern state where the party was in power. The party was making inroads in another southern state of Telangana by riding on the back of Karnataka.
But the defeat in Karnataka shattered the morale of the party workers in Telangana. Talking to TOI, a senior BJP leader said, “The defeat in Karnataka, that too by a huge margin, will certainly have an impact on the morale of the BJP workers in Telangana.”
In the 224-member Karnataka assembly, the Congress won a whopping 165 seats while the BJP was a distant second at 66 seats.
In contrast, a demoralised Congress received a boost in Telangana with its victory in Karnataka. Party leader Rahul Gandhi got a rousing welcome in Khammam district of the state during his visit on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, in a tweet, said, "Officially signing off as @BJP4Telangana State President Thank you to Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji, Hon'ble HM Shri @AmitShah ji and @BJP4India President Shri @JPNadda ji, Shri @blsanthosh ji, Shri @shivprakashbjp ji, Shri @tarunchughbjp ji, Shri @sunilbansalbjp ji, Shri @MenonArvindBJP ji for giving a common karyakarta like me, a big opportunity to serve as president of @BJP4Telangana."
"I hope I have lived upto yours expectations. Heartfelt gratitude to @BJP4India Central party, @BJP4Telangana leaders & Karyakartas for the support, love and encouragement given during my tenure as State President. Special thanks to leaders and members of all Morchas, Sangrama Sena, employees of the State party office, Social Media warriors, electronic and print media. Grateful to people of Telangana who have welcomed me with open arms in every step during #PrajaSangramaYatra. Always indebted to Karimnagar voters & Karyakarthas who made me what I am today," he said in the Twitter post.
"Some chapters in our lives have to close without closure. Keep me in your blessings, in case I have unintentionally hurt anyone during my tenure. I am happy that I am not a sad story but all of you have given me the most memorable moments - be it staying with me during arrests, standing by when attacked or laughing in moments of joy. Hats off to BJP Karyakartas who in my fight against KCR regime faced arrests, attacks but stood your ground. Rain or shine you were with me, for I am one among you and will always be so. Under the able leadership of Shri @kishanreddybjp garu, I look forward to working for the party with renewed vigour. Jai Shree Ram! Bharath Matha ki Jai !!" he added.
With Reddy replacing Kumar as the BJP state president, chances of a reshuffle of the Union council of ministers has grown stronger. The BJP follows the one person-one post policy and, therefore, Reddy is likely to resign from his ministerial post. Kumar may be included in the Narendra Modi government.
The elevation of Rajender, who had left the BRS to join the BJP, to the post of chairperson of the Telangana election management committee is a balancing act by the party leadership. Rajender is an influential OBC leader and a former minister.
This appears to be a clear message for the defectors from Congress and BRS to the BJP that they too have bright prospects in the party.
