Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Dec 4: With elections fast approaching in Karnataka, BJP is struggling to get a grip on the actions of some of its political leaders. While the open feud between BJP state president Yeddyurappa and Eshwarappa that threatened to push the party into disarray seemed to have settled down, there is something more disturbing happening that may not just rock the state leadership, but even play with the party's future in Karnataka.

The question that is now emerging in political circles is whether Pratap Simha, the firebrand MP of Mysuru and BJP’s young face, eyeing the chief minister’s post in the upcoming elections. Or, whether a group of BJP members, perhaps fed up with the senior leaders, trying to project Pratap Simha as a CM candidate?

Circled in red from L to R: Mahesh Vikram Hegde, Abhishek Singh, Vivek Shetty

Facebook page

As per reports from confidential sources, Pratap Simha and his supporters have started to do something which is not acceptable to the state leadership. There is a page on Facebook ‘I support Pratap Simha’ which has garnered more than 1,05,000 likes and over 110,000 followers, whereas ‘Pratap Simha for CM’ has over 78,000 likes and followers. The link of this page is being secretly passed among the members and non-members who are fans of Pratap Simha.

While there is no evidence that Pratap Simha is handling the page himself, majority of the articles republished on the page is from a website called 'Postcard' which is handled by Vivek Shetty and Mahesh Vikram Hegde. Abhishek Singh who is seen in the above picture is said to be a regular contributor to Postcard news.

Pratap Simha himself posted a photograph in twitter dated on November 13, with the admins of the website Vivek Shetty and Mahesh Vikram Hegde whom he calls his ‘Best Buddies’ and ‘Trend Setters’ on social media.

According to some sources, the team handling 'Postcard' website is handling the pages 'I support Pratap Simha' and 'Pratap Simha for CM’ on Facebook under the patronage of Pratap Simha himself. As the BJP is focusing on youth leadership nationally, Pratap might be trying to take advantage projecting him as a mass youth leader. Any orders of a young party chief or chief minister from the central BJP, and Pratap’s current buildup might just work well for him.

Dissidence among supporters

At the same time, some sources say that majority of the youth workers in BJP are not ready to accept veterans like Yeddyurappa, Jagadish Shettar, Eshwarappa, Ananth Kumar and others as their leaders. Many of these leaders have been to jail and a few have been accused in various corruption cases. Hence, youth members of the party see Pratap Simha as a leader who can lead the party and government. Many of the members confirmed support for their leader through social media and online survey.

According to the latest updates, one set of senior and junior members of the party are upset on these developments. They want Pratap Simha to stop gaining publicity and want him to concentrate on party-building along with the senior leaders. They are against Pratap Simha’s plans of overtaking the senior and experienced leaders. They feel that there are many seniors who have worked for the party from the grass root level and are more eligible for posts of chief minister, party chief and others.

Young blood – need of the hour for BJP

As per some political analysts, the recent controversial comments from Pratap Simha on various issues will only increase the number of young supporters. He knows very well that the national leadership is not happy with the state leaders’ working style and internal feuds. So there is a possibility that the national leadership would change their minds and hand over power to youth. Hence, Pratap and his team are building a kingdom silently with the help of social media.

Only time will tell if the campaign of 'Pratap Simha for CM' will be successful or trigger a revolt in the state BJP. It may even pave way for another group within the BJP, which may perhaps be stronger considering the youth it would attract.