Member of Parliament from Mangalore Nalin Kumar Kateel is emerging as the front-runner for the post of president of the state unit of BJP. Sources in the party said Mr Kateel has an edge over other contenders because of his proximity to RSS leaders. “Unlike Prahlad Joshi, party MP from Dharwad who is close to party general secretary H.N. Ananth Kumar, Mr Kateel has not demonstrated his loyalty to any individual, nor has he identified himself with any group in the state unit of BJP. This might work in his favour,” the sources said.
Though state unit chief K.S. Eshwarappa’s term ends only in December, party president Nitin Gadkari could take a call on the appointment of the new state unit chief as the former has been accommodated in the cabinet as deputy chief minister. In addition, Mr Gadkari is inclined to appoint the new president early in order to galvanize the state unit for forthcoming polls to the Legislative Assembly, the sources added.