Belgaum: Differences over the appointment of Jeetendra Kadam as president of the Bharatiya Janata Party's Belgaum city unit are yet to be settled, as senior members have once again petitioned the party's State president D.V. Sadananda Gowda to replace him at the earliest.

A group of senior leaders, led by the unit's general secretary Raghavendra Pujar, met Mr. Gowda at the Circuit House during the latter's visit to the city on Friday and urged him to replace Mr. Kadam with an "able and deserving" member.

They said Mr. Gowda's decision to appoint Mr. Kadam was not appropriate as the latter was a Marathi-speaking person and had been part of an anti-BJP camp until recently.

His family members continue to be anti-BJP, they claimed.

They said the party's State president had not consulted local leaders before taking a final decision on the appointment of Mr. Kadam, whose appointment has disappointed many who had been serving the party for many decades.

They said they would welcome anyone else in the post provided they had served the party in the past. However, a large number of youth workers have started rallying behind Mr. Kadam.

One leader, on condition of anonymity, said young workers were happy with the appointment of an energetic and good organiser.

All those who were opposing his appointment had not made any notable difference to strengthen the party, he added.

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