WB BJP has new chief, Haryana next

The changes are a part of the BJP window-dressing, which started with Venkaiah’s appointment as the party president on July 1, following a series of defeats in various states.

The party high command had decided to do away with Kataria, a MP from Ambala (Reserved) constituency, two months ago after convincing itself that he was not dynamic enough. The change was held up due to a lack of unanimity on the choice of a successor.

Initially, the leadership toyed with the idea of propping up a Jat in his place, but gave up the idea realising he would find himself dwarfed in front of leaders like Bansi Lal, O.P. Chautala, S.S. Surjewala and B.S. Hooda.

Once it made up its mind to go in for a non-Jat leader, the choice narrowed down to two Brahmins, former state chief Ramvilas Sharma and Kailash Sharma. Though Ramvilas Sharma has been resisting Kailash Sharma’s appointment, the die is cast in favour of the latter as he has the backing of the Deputy PM.

The party has already changed its presidents in Delhi, UP, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttaranchal and Chhattisgarh. The next head on the block is of Punjab BJP president Brij Lal Rinwa.