Bengaluru, 10 Oct (H.S): The BJP is likely to overhaul its Karnataka leadership after the Legislative Council elections, with changes being considered in both the state organisation and its Assembly leadership, according to party sources.

State president B.Y. Vijayendra and Assembly Opposition Leader R. Ashoka will complete three years in their positions in November. Discussions about replacing them have gathered momentum amid concerns over the party’s electoral performance and its campaign against the ruling Congress.

A senior BJP leader said leadership changes had been discussed for four months, with several aspirants expressing interest. The leader cited bypoll setbacks and the party’s inability to sustain an effective campaign over alleged corruption in the Congress government.

The anticipated replacement of Karnataka in-charge Radha Mohan Das Agrawal by Harish Dwivedi could provide an opportunity for the reshuffle, sources said.

Former minister Murugesh Nirani, Union ministers V. Somanna and Shobha Karandlaje, and MLA Mahesh Tenginkai are among those being discussed for the state presidency.

Nirani, currently a state vice-president, is considered a strong contender. Sources pointed to his ties with senior leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and his standing among Panchamasali Lingayats in central and northern Karnataka.

However, a senior party MLC said former chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa’s family would remain influential. Speculation includes a possible Union Cabinet berth for his son, Shivamogga MP B.Y. Raghavendra, alongside a change in state leadership.

Karkala MLA and former minister V. Sunil Kumar, an OBC leader, is being considered for Opposition Leader. Malleswaram MLA C.N. Ashwath Narayan, a Vokkaliga, could become deputy opposition leader, sources said.

The discussions come ahead of elections to rural local bodies and five municipal corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority. The BJP views these contests as crucial preparations for the 2028 Assembly election. Any reshuffle would seek to strengthen organisation and balance competing caste interests.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman