K Surendran likely to replace Sreedharan Pillai

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It is almost sure that BJP state leadership will get a new chief. The central leadership is likely to nominate directly the state chief. The new chief will replace P S Sreedharan Pillai. Pillai was made chief when Kummanam Rajashekaran was appointed Mizoram Governor. The post was lying vacant for nearly three months when Kummanam left the place. The central leadership is planning to appoint the new chief before the local body and assembly polls. It is heard that the new chief will be appointed before the state’s assembly by-polls.

One of the state general secretaries K Surendran and M T Ramesh are likely to be elected president. Chances are more for Surendran. Surendran gained popularity following the Sabarimala agitation. P K Krishnadas faction are in favour of Ramesh. Name of M S Kumar is also heard. The central leadership’s intervention is at a time when the organizational election process is about to begin based on new membership. The centre’s assessment is that the state leadership has not been able to meet the expectations of the new members.

Amit Shah directly nominated presidents in three states where state chief’s post was lying vacant.