VIJAYANAGARA/BENGALURU: The stage is set for BJP's two-day state executive committee meeting starting Saturday, which could lay the template for the party's strategy for the assembly elections next year.
The meeting comes in the backdrop of KS Eshwarappa's resignation from the Bommai cabinet after he was accused of abetting the suicide of civil contractor Santosh K Patil, besides the hijab and halal controversies. It will be held at Hospet in the new district of Vijayanagara, about 320km from Bengaluru, and will be inaugurated at 2.30pm on Saturday. The valedictory is scheduled for 5.30pm on Sunday, which will be attended by BJP national president JP Nadda, said Channabasavanagouda, BJP district president of Vijayanagara.
Elaborate arrangements have been made on the outskirts of the city near Bhattarahalli, venue of the meeting. Tourism minister Anand Singh and Vijayanagara district in-charge minister Shashikala Jolle are overseeing them. The meet is expected to encourage BJP cadres after its recent victories in four of five states and draw a strategy for the assembly poll campaign.
As Bommai is planning to take up cabinet reshuffle or expansion soon after the meeting, it is also expected to dwell on the issue in the presence of Nadda, keeping the performance of ministers, caste, and regional arithmetic in mind.
The meeting will also try to assess the overall sentiment in the state following the controversies over hijab, halal meat and banning of Muslim vendors near temples, and their impact on the assembly polls. BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel said national leaders, including Nadda, general secretary BL Santhosh and Karnataka in-charge Arun Singh will take part. "The assembly election and the party's preparations will be discussed," he added.
"It will chalk out a special drive for strengthening BJP at the grassroots level and figure out a way to bring about coordination between the party and the government," said Mahesh Tenginakai, BJP state general secretary.
Allegations made by the Karnataka state contractors' association about some ministers taking 40% kickbacks will be deliberated on, and damage-control measures discussed. Other issues to be discussed include the mounting pressure from Panchamasali Lingayats and STs regarding reservation, besides implementation of Mekedatu and Kalasa Baduri projects.
