Chennai, May 23 (IANS) Speculation over a possible leadership change in the Tamil Nadu BJP intensified on Saturday after state president Nainar Nagenthran rushed to New Delhi late on Friday, shortly after attending a key state core committee meeting that reviewed the party’s disappointing Assembly election performance.

His sudden visit to the national Capital has sparked fresh discussions within the party over the future of its state leadership and organisational structure.

Within hours of the meeting, Nagenthran left for Delhi and held discussions with Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan and BJP national president Nitin Nabin.

Party sources indicated that he was also attempting to secure an appointment with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, making the visit politically significant amid the ongoing internal deliberations.

The state core committee meeting, chaired by BJP national general secretary (organisation) B.L. Santhosh, reportedly involved a detailed assessment of the party’s electoral setback and organisational issues.

Senior leaders are learnt to have reviewed campaign shortcomings, grassroots coordination and the functioning of the alliance with the AIADMK during the Assembly polls.

Party insiders said the electoral defeat has put the functioning of the state leadership under scrutiny, with sections within the BJP increasingly pressing for changes at the organisational level.

The discussions are understood to have triggered fresh debate regarding the direction of the Tamil Nadu unit and its strategy moving forward.

According to senior BJP functionaries, sections within the party have increasingly been pressing for leadership changes as part of a broader organisational restructuring exercise.

“The core committee conducted a detailed review of the defeat and several issues concerning the functioning of the organisation were discussed. There is pressure from certain quarters within the party seeking a change in leadership, and the central leadership is closely watching developments,” a senior BJP leader said.

Speculation has also intensified over a possible Union Cabinet reshuffle expected later this year, with reports suggesting that Union Minister L. Murugan’s position may come under review.

Party circles indicate that discussions are underway regarding greater representation from Tamil Nadu at the national level.

Former Tamil Nadu BJP president, K. Annamalai’s name has once again emerged in internal discussions, with supporters pushing for his return to a significant organisational role.

However, party leaders indicated that while leadership changes remain under consideration, no immediate decision is expected, as the central leadership weighs organisational stability and political messaging before taking a final call.

—IANS

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