BJP top brass ‘unhappy’ with state unit’s efforts to woo influential leaders

BENGALURU: The BJP central leadership seems to be displeased with the state unit’s execution of Operation Lotus in the Old Mysuru region and Union Home Minister Amit Shah himself is likely to take up the task himself.

The BJP is aiming at 35+ seats in the Old Mysuru region, but the top brass seems unhappy with the progress of Operation Lotus and has made its displeasure known to the state leadership. Influential leaders in Mandya, Mysuru, Hassan and Ramanagara districts have not joined the party and the state leaders have not made serious efforts to woo them. Also, the task set by Amit Shah has not been completed, the state unit has been told in no uncertain terms.

It is said that the central leaders have taken the state leadership to task for showing initial enthusiasm and failing later on. It has also sought a report on the progress made in wooing important leaders including present and former legislators.

Not wanting to waste more time, the central leaders are planning to put select prospective newcomers directly in touch with Amit Shah after getting a report from the state. Among those who have recently joined the party include Muddahanume Gowda in Tumakuru, Varthur Prakash and Manjunath Gowda in Kolar, Lakshmi Ashwin Gowda, Ashok Jayaram and Sachidananda in Mandya and Pilla Munishyamappa in Bengaluru Rural.