Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Nov 15: It is said that BJP national leadership feels that with the demise of Ananth Kumar, BJP might lose its influence in Karnataka to some extent. It is said that to address this problem, they are considering the prospect of making an MP of good standing from the state a union minister. The issue was informally discussed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with BJP national president, Amit Shah, before the former left for Singapore.

Political pundits feel that either Nalin Kumar Kateel or Prahlad Joshi might get the post of minister in the union ministry. One of them might be made minister once the result of the assembly election held in five states is announced. This might happen during the second week of December. This strategy is expected to help the party to get more seats in the Lok Sabha election.

After the demise of Kumar, D V Sadananda Gowda, Ramesh Jigajiganagi and Anant Kumar Hegde from the state have remained in the ministry. Karnataka is the only state from south India that has been solidly backing the BJP, and the party leaders cannot risk to overlook its importance. With the Telugu Desam Party walking away from the BJP, the party wants to make up the shortfall in Andhra Pradesh by bagging more seats in Karnataka.

If the central leaders feel that Lingayats are to be appeased, it might choose to make either Belagavi MP, Suresh Angadi or Shivakumar Udasi from Haveri, a minister, analysts feel.