Turbulence in B’gavi BJP: Angadi death hits party hard

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

Bengaluru: The Belagavi unit of the BJP finds itself in the midst of a storm, grappling with internal dissent and leadership challenges that have cast a shadow over the party’s stronghold.

The void after the untimely passing away of Belagavi MP Suresh Angadi has left the BJP facing a leadership vacuum.

The recent bye-poll to fill the Lok Sabha vacancy saw the BJP struggling to secure victory for Mangala Suresh Angadi, underscoring the absence of a formidable leader to rally support.

Against this backdrop, the entry of former minister and Gokak MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi into the BJP’s fold has ignited controversy.

Jarkiholi’s elevation to a ministerial position with a significant portfolio was met with discontent, further exacerbated by his alleged involvement in the defeat of the BJP’s official candidate in the biennial polls.

Belagavi district, once a stronghold of the BJP, has witnessed a noticeable decline in the party’s popularity. In the 2023 Assembly polls, the BJP’s tally of seats dwindled from 11 to a mere seven.

The defections of former Athani MLA Lakshman Savadi and former CM Jagadish Shettar to the Congress Party have further compounded the BJP’s challenges, eroding its dominance in the region.

The party’s internal discord has prompted a delegation of BJP leaders to voice their concern and oppose the appointment of Ramesh Jarkiholi to any significant post for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

The BJP’s task is compounded by the need to identify a new candidate for Belagavi LS constituency, as Mangala Suresh Angadi is unlikely to seek re-election with her daughter married to a son of Jagadish Shettar.

The party’s ability to overcome these challenges will be closely watched, as it strives to regain its waning influence in a district that was once its bastion.