Has Karnataka debacle weakened BL Santhosh's stature? Revamp likely in BJP’s state unit

New Delhi: Days after the Karnataka Assembly polls defeat, murmurs are already on in the Bharatiya Janata Party regarding the status of its National General Secretary (Organization) BL Santhosh.

Sources stated that senior saffron leaders from the state have expressed their displeasure at the functioning of Santhosh to the party’s central leadership.

Also read: How Karnataka polls outcome will impact BL Santhosh's future in BJP

With Santhosh being held responsible for the electoral outcome for the BJP, a change in his role or roping in others for important positions isn’t being ruled out, sources said.

Newsdrum had earlier reported that the saffron insiders were keenly watching the Karnataka poll outcome and the future of Santhosh may be directly affected due to it.

Santhosh, an old Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh hand from Karnataka, was leading the strategic planning and implementation of the saffron unit’s poll game plan in the southern state. Santhosh held sway on the selection of candidates in the state for the polls.

Murmurs have grown regarding the imminent change in the important post of National General Secretary (Organization) ahead of the 2024 general elections.

The position is considered one of the most important posts in the party. And the incumbent is responsible for better coordination between the party and its ideological parent, the RSS.

Santhosh was promoted at the national level with an eye on the expansion of the BJP in South India. However, now the party is keenly looking at other strategists to expand the saffron footprint and retain power in the 2024 general elections.

National General Secretary Sunil Bansal, considered close to former BJP chief and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, may emerge as the dark horse as the party embarks on the preparation for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Bansal played a crucial and successful role in getting the party repeated victories in the crucial state of Uttar Pradesh in both Assembly (2017 and 2022) and Lok Sabha polls in 2019.

As part of his expanded role, Bansal has recently been given the charge of West Bengal, Odisha and Telangana as the party’s National General Secretary.

Revamp in Karnataka BJP soon?

The Karnataka poll debacle is likely to affect the state BJP unit as the party looks to prepare its leadership and cadre for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

The central leadership is worried about the loss in Karnataka as it can lead to a negative impact on the morale of the party leaders and its cadre. Hence, the need to rejig its leadership ahead of 2024 polls, sources pointed out.

Sources stated that Shobha Karandlaje, a senior leader considered close to former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, is expected to replace the incumbent Nalin Kumar Kateel. It is understood that Kateel has offered to resign from the post after the saffron unit’s debacle.

Kateel, a three-time MP from Dakshina Kannada, had replaced B S Yediyurappa and had been BJP’s surprise candidate of choice. An RSS man, Kateel is known to be closely associated with Santhosh. Incumbent Kateel’s tenure ended in 2022 August but was extended keeping in mind the 2023 assembly polls. He has often come under criticism for being inaccessible to workers and for raising controversial issues like Tipu versus Savarkar and love jihad which were unable to strike a chord amongst Karnataka voters.

More heads are also expected to roll in the Karnataka BJP unit as the saffron unit tries to regain its lost citadel with Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to seek his third term in 2024. The state elects 28 MPs to the lower house of the Parliament. Of these, the BJP had secured 25 seats with one seat secured by an NDA ally in the 2019 general elections and the saffron unit hopes to retain its strength of seats from Karnataka in the 2024 general elections.