ALAPPUZHA: The BJP state office-bearers meet convened to assess the failure of the party in the Lok Sabha is progressing in Alappuzha. Though the party hoped women entry in Sabarimala and the controversies that broke out later would benefit them in the polls, the unexpected defeat in Thiruvananthapuram is making them think of a leadership change. There is a request to change P S Sreedharan Pillai from the state chief post.

It has been mainly criticised that the state chief running for a seat during selection of candidates was adversely affected. When the results were out, Vattiyoorkavu, the BJP-RSS power center in Thiruvananthapuram, was behind. Kummanam was defeated by more than one lakh votes. Though 3,00,000 lakh votes were garnered in Pathanamthitta, they had to satisfy with the third place. Though Suresh Gopi performed well in Thrissur, he could not rise up to the expectations.

The state leadership is blamed for the party’s pathetic failure. When the party won all over the country, they were not able to win anywhere in the state. The party will examine why the expected caste votes did not favour them when Pillai was made state chief. Though they stood with the NSS on women entry in Sabarimala, there was a leak in Nair votes. When a demand of a strong leadership is heard, the first name heard was that of K Surendran and then P K Krishnadas.

Meantime, K Surendram reacted saying no change is needed in the leadership. The party will examine the situation that led to the defeat of the party.