Mangaluru: As the Karnataka Congress discusses potential additional Deputy Chief Ministerial posts, the BJP faces its own internal debates regarding the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly.The BJP’s leadership dynamics took a notable turn when the party, aiming for a strategic balance after the election loss in 2023, appointed BY Vijayendra, son of former CM BS Yediyurappa, as state president. R. Ashok was designated as the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, while Kota Srinivas Poojary took on the same role in the Council. This arrangement was designed to ensure representation for the Lingayat, Vokkaliga, and OBC communities, which are critical for maintaining the party’s broad-based appeal.However, with Kota Srinivas Poojary recently elected as the MP of Udupi-Chikmagalur, the party now faces the task of appointing a new leader.Since his appointment, R. Ashok’s leadership has been questioned by a section within the party. His critics argue that despite his efforts to challenge Congress through state tours and public engagements, he lacks the assertiveness needed to be taken seriously by Congress leaders. This has fueled speculation that the BJP is considering a more combative leader, capable of holding Congress accountable on the Assembly floor and challenging the government on various issues. The absence of former JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy, now an MP and union minister, who was known for his robust opposition tactics, has exacerbated this need for the JD(S)-BJP coalition.A senior BJP leader told Deccan Chronicle, “With the Assembly and Parliament elections behind us, we now need to focus on the upcoming Zilla Panchayat-Taluk Panchayat elections. Internal differences among Congress leaders are growing, presenting an opportunity for us to prove ourselves as a strong opposition. There is discussion within the party about appointing a more forceful Leader of the Opposition. Many feel Ashok is too mild for this critical role.”CT Ravi, known for his aggressive political style, is a prominent name being considered for the Council’s Leader of the Opposition. The four-time MLA, who lost the 2023 assembly election, entered the Council recently. Ravi hails from the Vokkaliga community, the same as Ashok, which could complicate his appointment. If diversity in leadership is prioritized, Karkala MLA Sunil Kumar, an OBC leader, may emerge as a frontrunner for the post of Opposition leader in the Assembly. Party workers also echo the sentiment that strong leaders are needed on the assembly floor to assert BJP’s presence as a formidable opposition.
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