JP Nadda’s elevation could be good news for Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa

BENGALURU: For chief minister BS Yediyurappa, the BJP’s decision to hand JP Nadda a bigger role on the national stage is nothing short of a blessing in disguise.
Several senior party leaders are of the view that Nadda’s elevation as BJP national president will help Yediyurappa expedite the process of expanding his cabinet, which has been pending for more than a month now.
“Outgoing president Amit Shah was a busy man, handling dual responsibility of being party chief and Union home minister. So it was always hard for state leaders to get his time. Now, with Nadda taking over, it won’t be an issue,” a senior BJP functionary said.
Many feel Nadda’s good working relationship with the CM will alter equations in state politics and that he would take a decisive role in expanding Yediyurappa’s cabinet. He had played a crucial role in the formation of the BJP government in the state and had strongly backed Yediyurappa then. “Yediyurappa is leader of BJP’s Legislature Party and it is natural for him to be the party's choice for the chief minister’s post,” Nadda had said.
Nada’s elevation also opens up new possibilities for the state unit as he is known for his organisation skills. Top functionaries say he may frequent the state to ensure the state unit under Nalin Kumar Kateel takes up new programmes to strengthen the party.
Nadda also enjoys close ties with the Sangh Parivar and ABVP. “Our new president rose from the ranks of ABVP and so we expect to get more prominence,” said BJP spokesperson and former ABVP leader Anand AH.
However, some political analyst feel the change of guard will have no significant impact. “It makes no difference as the levers of control in the party will remain with the PM and home minister. While formal transfer of leadership in the party has happened, the de facto head for decision making will still be the ‘Big Two’,” said Sandeep Shashtri, a political analyst.