Rajahmundry: The BJP seems to be on the lookout for a new face to steer the party in the state to establish it firmly to contest the next elections independently.
Though BJP MLC from Rajahmundry Somu Veer raju was the front-runner in the race to become the state party president earlier, the party national leadership withheld its proposal although it announced names of party chiefs in several other states.
The reason attributed is that the party has changed its mind. Mr Veerraju had invited the displeasure of party national leadership as he was allegedly promoting group politics and is no longer acceptable for all in the state. Party sources say that he was involved in party’s district level elections antagonising some sections of the people.
In this backdrop, the party leadership is on the lookout for a new face, who is acceptable to all. Party sources say that the leadership is looking for a strong leader from a dominant community from the districts having more political awareness.
Though the names of some of the leaders like Daggubati Purandareswari and Kanna Lakshminarayana who migrated from the Congress to the BJP and party's general secretary Suresh Reddy from Rayalaseema region and others have come up for the honour of becoming the party’s state unit president, the name of Rajahmundry Urban MLA Dr Akula Satyanarayana is also doing rounds in political circles.
As Purandeswari and Lakshminarayana served as ministers in the Cong-ress government both at the Centre and in the state respectively earlier, BJP supporters may not accept them as voters have rejected the Congress in the elections on the issue of bifurcation of the state and elected the TD-BJP combine to power.
Party sources say that if existing senior leaders in BJP are unable to take the responsibility to establish the party firmly, there is nothing wrong in giving an opportunity to new entrants if they are capable enough to lead the party to power either independently or with alliance in elections.
Dr Satyanarayana is a doctor by profession and joined the BJP in 2013, contesting successfully in the election. He belongs to the dominant Kapu community and hails from Rajahmundry in East Godavari. He was instrumental in successfully organising the public meet addressed by BJP national president Amit Shah with the participation of about 85,000 people in Rajahmundry earlier.
“I am not in the race for party chief post in state. However, if the party leadership wants my services I am ready to accept the offer. As PM Narendra Modi has been launching a series of welfare schemes and developmental projects to benefit every section of the community, we will take them to the people and seek their support to the party. I wish to get along with everyone but intend to fight on issues to benefit people,” said Dr Satyanarayana.
