BJP fails to consolidate its LS gains in absence of a full-time state President
Hyderabad: A prolonged delay by the BJP central leadership in appointing a full-time state president is hampering the party's activities in Telangana. Incumbent state party president, G. Kishan Reddy, is preoccupied with his responsibilities as Union minister and has been additionally tasked with overseeing the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir by the party high command. These factors have prevented the party from consolidating the gains it achieved in the Lok Sabha elections in May.
During the recent Budget session of the Assembly, the BJP Legislature Party failed to receive adequate support from the state unit to expose the state government's unfulfilled poll promises, particularly on farm loan waivers. As a result, the Legislature Party has often found itself acting alone on several issues, with little to no backing from the party.
Various agitation programmes organised by the party's youth wing, demanding a job calendar, and the women’s wing's protests against rising crimes against women, failed to resonate effectively due to the lack of support from the state unit
After being inducted into the Union Cabinet, Kishan Reddy has been largely confined to Delhi. His additional responsibility as Assembly election in-charge for Jammu and Kashmir, which is expected to hold elections soon following a Supreme Court directive, has further limited his involvement in party activities in Telangana.
Even during his visits to the state, Kishan Reddy has rarely travelled to the districts to engage in party work. When questioned about a potential leadership change in the state, Kishan Reddy says it will be decided by the party’s national president J.P. Nadda. Similarly, Union minister of state Bandi Sanjay Kumar also refrains from commenting, stating that the decision rests with the national president. Kishan Reddy was appointed as Telangana BJP President on July 4, 2023, replacing Sanjay Kumar.
The delay in launching the membership drive, typically a precursor to the election of the national president, is likely impacting the appointment of state chiefs in Telangana and several other states.
The membership drive, which must conclude by September 15, is to be followed by an active membership campaign from September 16 to 30, with verification from October 1 to 15.
However, recent setbacks in the Lok Sabha elections and tensions with the RSS, particularly Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat's criticism of the government over the Manipur issue and the language used during the Lok Sabha campaign, have delayed this election process.
Consequently, this delay is affecting the appointment of state unit leaders in Telangana, West Bengal, and Gujarat, where incumbents have been inducted into the Union Council of Ministers.