BJP sets up three teams for Karnataka ground assessment

Yeddyurappa has been roped in to help in the task of the team that will be working with Nalin Kateel

The exit of former Chief Minister of Karnataka B.S. Yeddyurappa from that post last year may not have been as dramatic as it was in 2011, but the central BJP is still worried over the impact on the ground and has formed three committees, headed by national general secretary Arun Singh, Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Bommai and State unit president Nalin Kateel respectively, for that purpose. In fact, Mr .Yeddyurappa has been roped in to help in the task of the team that will be working with Mr Kateel.

Polls in Karnataka are due in 2023, and the Congress is also active on the ground. After Mr. Bommai's visit to Delhi, speculation over a reshuffle grew rife and an advisory from the national leadership to improve governance was issued by the top leadership, following which these teams were constituted.

The teams are expected to start their tour and assessment on April 12 and have been assigned different parts of the State to do so.

The eight-member team led by Mr. Singh will include Govind Kalsore, R. Ashok and national general secretary C.T. Ravi while in the one led by Mr. Kateel, Mr. Yedyyurappa himself will participate along with Ashwath Narayan and V. Somanna.

Mr Singh's tour will begin with a visit to Belagavi on April 12 and will be around north Karnataka, a stronghold of the BJP. Mr. Kateel will also start from the north of the State, namely Dharwad but then move to Bellary. Mr. Bommai will travel to Mangaluru, Shivamogga and Kalaburgi.

The idea is to spend two days in every division, review the political situation in each Assembly constituency and the implementation of Central schemes.