Speculations mount over CT Ravi's potential candidacy as BJP state president in Karnataka

Ravi, a former MLA from Chikamagalur, suffered defeat in the recent Assembly polls, where BJP failed to win any of the five seats in the district. Despite facing opposition, he is considered close to BJP national general secretary (organization). 

CT Ravi has been invited to a meeting of the leaders of the BJP High Command on August 2. He noted that the position of state president cannot be requested. According to him, the party will decide who would be given the responsibility. "I will accept any position that is offered to me. Otherwise, I am willing to work as a karyakarta. I shall always work for the party". CT Ravi stated.

According to a source within the BJP, CT Ravi encountered challenges due to a perceived lack of fluency in the Tamil, Marathi and Konkani languages during his tenure as the state in charge for three states - Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Goa. Another source within the BJP revealed that CT Ravi was initially slated to assume the role of BJP State President during the previous appointment period, while Nalin Kumar Kateel was granted the position. However, contrary to expectations, he was instead appointed as the National BJP Secretary.

There is a strong likelihood that CT Ravi will be selected as the BJP State President, given his exceptional oratory skills and fluency in the Kannada language. Notably, B S Yediyurappa, a prominent Lingayat leader and a member of the BJP parliamentary board, is expected to oppose Ravi's candidacy. The run-up to the Assembly elections saw ongoing clashes between Ravi and Yediyurappa, and after his election loss, Ravi publicly blamed party insiders for alleged collusion with the Opposition.

While Ravi's organizational skills make him a key player in the party's future in Karnataka, he lacks strong support from any caste group, unlike mass Lingayat leader Yediyurappa. He also holds limited influence over his own Vokkaliga community in the Vokkaliga belt of Karnataka.

The BJP is eyeing a combination of the Lingayat and Vokkaliga castes for crucial positions in the party, such as party president and Leader of the Opposition in the state. Senior leader Amit Shah hinted during a recent meeting with Karnataka leaders that these appointments would be made in early August.

The JD(S) also indicated that the BJP was close to deciding the names for these positions, with Ravi being considered for president and (Basanagouda) Yatnal as floor leader. However, the JD(S) stated it was not concerned about the BJP's final choices. 

The BJP has been facing internal issues since its defeat in the Karnataka Assembly polls in May, with delays in appointing leaders for crucial posts. The balancing of caste equations is seen as crucial in these appointments.

Among the potential candidates for BJP state president post, apart from Ravi, is Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje, who is also a Vokkaliga leader. While Ravi is considered close to Santhosh, Karandlaje is seen as a neutral contender.

Ravi's political journey has been marked by his unwavering loyalty to the party and the Sangh Parivar, and his firebrand politics that has occasionally featured communal statements. He rose through the BJP ranks in Chikkamagaluru as a youth leader in the post-Babri era. He played a prominent role in the Hindutva agitation for control of a shrine in the Bababudangiri Hills, revered by Hindus and Muslims, with the Hindu groups eventually gaining control.

Although he became an MLA in 2004 and a minister in 2012 during the Jagadish Shettar-led government, his hardcore Hindutva stance sometimes conflicted with the more moderate leadership of Yediyurappa. In the past, Ravi was considered a potential replacement for Yediyurappa as CM, but Basavaraj Bommai was ultimately chosen as the successor.