Is N. Ramchander Rao the New Telangana BJP Chief?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- N. Ramchander Rao is expected to be the new Telangana BJP President.
- The central leadership favors Rao for his loyalty and non-controversial background.
- Nominations are set to be filed on Monday afternoon.
- A shift in state leadership has been anticipated for several months.
- The appointment aims to consolidate support within the party.
Hyderabad, June 30 (NationPress) Prominent leader N. Ramchander Rao is poised to take over as the new President of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Telangana unit, according to party insiders on Monday.
It is reported that the party's central leadership has finalized Rao for this significant role.
A seasoned High Court advocate and former Member of Legislative Council (MLC), Rao plans to submit his nomination for the position on Monday afternoon.
With the central leadership's clear preference, it appears that no other candidates will contest.
Rao is expected to be elected by consensus on Tuesday.
Although Union Minister of State Bandi Sanjay, along with BJP MPs Eatala Rajender and Arvind Dharmapuri, were considered strong candidates, the central leadership seems to favor Ramchander Rao due to his loyalty and non-controversial reputation.
A member of the Brahmin community, Rao has been actively involved with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, and the legal department of the BJP.
Previously, he led the BJP's Hyderabad unit.
A faction of senior BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leaders is believed to support Ramchander Rao's selection.
In response to the news about Rao's impending appointment as State BJP President, controversial leader and MLA T. Raja Singh stated that the party President should be chosen by party members.
He expressed that all active members, from booth-level workers to senior leaders, should have a say in electing the President.
The MLA representing the Goshamahal constituency in Hyderabad pointed out that the party has faced setbacks in the past due to Presidents appointed by select individuals.
He emphasized that the party workers are the backbone of the BJP, citing their efforts in securing eight Lok Sabha seats last year.
The BJP announced the election process for the new state unit chief on Sunday.
Nominations will be accepted on Monday from 2 to 4 p.m., with the withdrawal period from 4 to 5 p.m. on the same day.
Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Shobha Karandlaje, will act as the Returning Officer.
Several leading BJP figures were seen as potential successors to the current state party President and Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy.
Among them were Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay, who was previously replaced as state BJP President before the 2023 Assembly elections, alongside MPs Arvind Dharmapuri, Eatala Rajender, K. Laxman, and D.K. Aruna.
Union Minister Kishan Reddy was appointed as State BJP President prior to the 2023 Assembly elections, taking over from Bandi Sanjay.
He led the party during the Assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
While the BJP managed to secure only eight seats in the 119-member Assembly, it doubled its Lok Sabha seat count to eight.
Following the BJP's retention of power at the Centre, Union Minister Kishan Reddy was re-inducted into the Cabinet.
A shift in state leadership has been anticipated for several months.