Kateel set to exit, four in line to succeed him

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

Bengaluru

With the three-year term of State BJP President Nalinkumar Kateel ending this month, BJP national leaders are searching for a suitable candidate to step into the shoes of Kateel.

 The selection has to be perfect since the State will go to Assembly elections in the next 8-10 months. So the candidate has to have a strong Hindutva background and the ability to counter the two tall leaders of the Congress, KPCC President D.K.Shivakumar and Leader of the Opposition in the State Legislative Assembly Siddaramaiah. The BJP hasn’t taken the Janata Dal (Secular) seriously due to its wavering stand vis-a-vis the two national parties, Congress and BJP.

 The performance of Kateel, according to state BJP leaders, is abysmal for various reasons. The party had picked him because he was a firebrand leader in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts but he disappointed everyone.

Recently, he had to virtually escape from a protest site in Dakshina Kannada over the brutal murder of youth activist Praveen Nettare by some miscreants. The mob tried to topple his official car and the cops had to intervene to stop it.

 The party has three to four names for the state President’s post who include BJP National General Secretary C.T.Ravi, Union Minister of State for Agriculture Shobha Karandlaje, Large & Medium Scale Industries Minister Murgesh Nirani and Shivamogga MLA K.S.Eshwarappa.

Among the four, Ravi looks the favourite of the high command due to his communication skills, yothful energy and his ability to take on both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar besides being a strong proponent of Hindutva who is also easily approachable.

While Shobha lacks the needed punch to attack the Congress and JD(S), Nirani is aiming for the CM post. As for Eshwarappa, he may have spoint his chances because of his ‘loose talk’ which has the potential to create a fresh row every time.

A senior leader said the party is looking for someone who can woo miffed Hindu youth and deliver fiery speeches to defend Hindutva and slam the pro-minority stand of Congress leaders. This can be done by Ravi, who is the MLA from Chikkamagaluru City. The BJP had been winning this seat by harping on the Dattapeeta row. The party also wants someone who can be a big draw among youth and Shobha, Nirani or Eshwarappa don’t fit the bill. The BJP high command is expected to take a decision soon so that the new president can strengthen the party in all 224 Assembly constituencies and tour the state with other leaders.

While Ravi belongs to the Vokkaliga community, Shobha belong to the backward classes, Nirani is a Lingayat leader and Eshwarappa belongs to Kuruba community. Since the BJP is also hoping to make inroads into the strong Vokkaliga belt in old Mysuru region, Ravi’s prospects have received a fillip