Tejashwi Surya hasn’t commented on this topic yet.
Bengaluru:
The BJP has dropped one of its most prominent young faces, Tejashwi Surya, from the list of star campaigners for the upcoming Karnataka assembly elections, raising questions about his role and influence in state politics.
The 30-year-old is the BJP’s youth wing president and MP from Bangalore South. He is known for his outspoken support of the party’s Hindutva agenda and criticism of opposition parties, especially the Congress.
However, his name does not figure in the list of 40 star campaigners released by the BJP on Wednesday. The list includes Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and several other senior leaders from the state and the Centre.
According to BJP sources, Mr Surya’s omission is not indicative of any negative outlook in the party about him. The leader has been the subject of intense ridicule in recent months over an incident in which an emergency exit on a passenger flight was accidentally opened before take-off.
Rather, it is a strategic decision to focus on his constituency and his organizational work, said a BJP functionary.
“He is a member of parliament from Karnataka and a popular leader for us. He is anyway campaigning for the party and has been doing so for weeks now. may be sent on notice.” Everyone cannot be burdened with the responsibility of campaigning all the time, a BJP leader told NDTV on condition of anonymity.
The source said Mr Surya’s absence from the list does not mean he will not be seen or heard from during the election campaign.
Mr. Surya is yet to comment on the subject. Sources close to him said that the BJP leadership has decided to keep all youth leaders out of the list.
A source said, “Tejaswi Surya has been asked to campaign in at least 50 constituencies across the state. He will be in Puttur, Byndoor and Shimoga tomorrow.”
Mr. Surya’s fellow MP from Karnataka, Pratap Simha, who is also known for his hardline Hindutva views, has also been dropped from the list of star campaigners. Mr. Simha represents the Mysuru-Kodagu constituency and is also the national spokesperson of the BJP.
The BJP has also not included BY Vijayendra, son of former Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa, who is contesting from Shikaripura seat. Mr Vijayendra is seen as Mr Yediyurappa’s successor and has been actively involved in state politics since his father’s resignation in July.
The BJP is facing a tough challenge from the Congress and its former ally Janata Dal (Secular) in Karnataka, where it has 114 seats in the 224-member assembly. The elections are to be held on May 10 and the results are expected on May 13.