I am not an aspirant for state BJP president: CT Ravi

BENGLAURU: After state BJP leader C T Ravi was dropped as national general secretary by party president J P Nadda in an organisational rejig, there has been much speculation in political circles about his selection as BJP state president.

“I am not an aspirant for the BJP state president’s post. I will handle whatever responsibility is given by the party leadership”, C T Ravi clarified.

Speaking to mediapersons in the city on Sunday, Ravi said, “I don’t know whether I will be given the post of state president. I am now a BJP national former general secretary. The post of state president is a big responsibility. We can’t get it by asking for it. I am not harbouring any expectations and I don’t know about the future”.

He said that the party seniors will collectively decide who should be given the post of state president and when. Talking about him being dropped from the post of national BJP general secretary, Ravi said, “No post is permanent. The BJP has given me many posts. I have always been an activist in the party”. He said that he will still work with the same sense of service.

Commenting on the Udupi college video incident, he asked, “Why did they suspend those students if there was no mistake? There are many suspicions in the case”. He insisted that a proper investigation should be conducted.

Reacting to the Congress government’s decision to investigate the 40 per cent commission allegation, he said, “Let them definitely investigate and bring out the truth. No one knows who gave 40 per cent to whom. Let the government reveal who is accused. There are also reports of corruption in the NICE project and redoing of denotification of land. Let the government take action, only then the trust in this government will increase. Otherwise, there will be suspicion of conspiracy”, he said.

On former Prime Minister and JD(S) stalwart H D Deve Gowda’s statement that C T Ravi will be made the state president, Ravi said, “Deve Gowda is a senior leader of our state. He did not say that that is the final decision, he just said that there was some discussion. I don’t know what the high command’s decision is. I have been with the BJP for 35 years. Since then, I have been receiving Yediyurappa’s blessings”.