THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The national leadership has expedited the process of selecting the BJP state president in Kerala. The national leadership has decided to appoint a new state president by March and bring in new chiefs in all districts within this time. The new committee will be fully in charge of the upcoming local body elections.
The present decision is to implement the directive that those being in office for five years should vacate their posts. Therefore, K Surendran cannot continue as the president. Although there has been much criticism from Kerala against Surendran, the national leadership assesses that Surendran has performed well as the state president. There are also indications that K Surendran, who will be removed from the post of state president, will be considered for Rajya Sabha or given a ministerial berth.
The names of former union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar and present state general secretary M T Ramesh are being considered for the post of state president. The national leadership is giving first priority to Rajeev Chandrasekhar. The BJP national leadership and the RSS leadership had held discussions with Rajeev Chandrasekhar in this regard. Rajeev Chandrasekhar has informed the national leaders about the group disputes within the BJP in Kerala and the practical problems of having to stay in Kerala permanently. However, the leadership has intensified pressure on Rajeev Chandrasekhar to take over the post of state president.