The first meeting of Bhartiya Janta Party’s state executive committee, after the party fell short of reaching majority in Karnataka assembly, on Friday is being watched closely. While the executive committee routinely meets once-in-three-months, the one on Friday gains significance as talks of changing state president are doing rounds.
The current state BJP chief is BS Yeddyurappa. Media reports suggest that the central leadership may want a rejig to get the caste combination spot on, ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
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Frontrunners for the post include a Kuruba, an SC and a Vokkaliga. KS Eshwarappa, former deputy chief minister and once a vociferous opponent of Yeddyurappa, is being projected as one of the contenders .
The committee may decide on the leader of opposition in the upper house. Former minister Kota Srinivas Poojari, Raghunath Rao Malkhapure and Ayunur Manjunath are considered to be the frontrunners. However, KB Shanappa, a senior leader and former Union minister, may be a compromise candidate.