Shah likely to visit Karnataka in April

NT Correspondent

With Union Home Minister Amit Shah expected to visit Karnataka on April 1, hectic politicking is expected to unfold in the ruling BJP with ministerial aspirants waiting patiently to present their case to gain entry into the Council of ministers.

The ‘Chanakya’ of the BJP was supposed to visit Bengaluru in February in connection with the three-day baithak organised by the RSS but the visit was cancelled at the last minute due to the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. Subsequently, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai became busy with his maiden budget followed by three weeks of the budget session. Besides, Shah was too busy from January till March due to the Assembly polls in five states and he came out of the ‘poll mode’ only after the BJP triumphed in four of the five states that went to polls.

With no pressing engagement on hand, Shah, a close associate of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is coming to Karnataka to take stock of the state of affairs in the BJP under the stewardship of Bommai. His last visit was to Davangere and the public speech (that the party will to polls under the leadership of Bommai) had created a furore inside the BJP with senior leaders not amused.

Later, Bommai clarified that the BJP would face the 2023 assembly elections under a collective leadership. Nearly three months after that, the strongman of the BJP is coming to Karnataka to set the ball rolling on the much awaited Cabinet reshuffle.

Since the CM has left everything to the high command, ruling party MLAs are waiting for the arrival of Shah to brief him about their experience and seniority for joining the Bommai cabinet.

Sources in the BJP told News Trail that the Home Minister is expected to have a one to one meeting with Bommai on the handling of the hijab row and the murder of Bajrang Dal activist Harsha in Shivamogga.