HYDERABAD: Election of the new State BJP president, scheduled for October 27, has been postponed and the process will now be completed between November 6 and 15, according to party sources.

a couple of months ago the State unit had fixed the date for holding the poll. With about 15 of the 28 district units electing their presidents, the State leadership had indicated to the national party that it was ready to go ahead with the process. However, the latter wanted it to be put off.

The sources said that a central leader was likely to come here to elicit opinion and evolve a consensus among the State leaders in choosing the next president.

294 members

The chiefs of at least 14 districts need to be in office before choosing the State president, who will be elected by the 294 State Council members, each representing an Assembly constituency.

With the names of national secretary B. Dattatreya, State general secretaries K. Laxman and K. Balakondiah doing rounds in party circles as front-runners for the post, the question being asked is whether the Central leadership would go in for a new face or veteran to lead the party into the next Assembly elections.

When contacted, Mr. Dattatreya maintained that he had not yet given it thought. Mr. Balakondiah said that he had urged the State leaders to give him a chance.

He would strive to bring more sections into the party fold, particularly SCs and STs, and spread the organisation to every `nook and corner,' particularly in coastal Andhra.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu