BJP Reassigns Tamil Nadu General Secretary to Full-Time RSS Role
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made a significant organizational change in Tamil Nadu, relieving Kesava Vinayagam from his position as the state's general secretary (organisation). The decision, taken on Monday, involves reassigning Vinayagam to full-time work with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). This move comes amid ongoing preparations for upcoming elections and internal discussions within the party.
Leadership Transition and Internal Meetings
The decision was finalized following meetings held by BJP national general secretary (organisation) B L Santhosh with senior party functionaries at the RSS office in Chennai. Key attendees included BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran, along with former state chiefs K Annamalai and Tamilisai Soundararajan. These discussions focused on election preparedness and strategic planning.
Prasobha Kumar, a party functionary from Kanyakumari district, is likely to take over the post of general secretary (organisation) in Tamil Nadu. This transition marks a notable shift in the state's BJP leadership structure.
Context of the Reassignment
The reassignment of Kesava Vinayagam follows his recent announcement of a 72-member task force designed to tour multiple assembly segments for election work. This development occurred shortly after former state president K Annamalai withdrew from election duties, citing personal reasons. Annamalai's departure sparked speculations that other BJP leaders were also dissatisfied, as they felt they were not adequately consulted about their assigned roles.
Kesava Vinayagam, who was drafted into the BJP from the RSS in 2015 as a joint organising secretary, has now been redirected back to full-time RSS responsibilities. This move underscores the ongoing coordination between the BJP and its ideological parent organization.
Election Strategy and Candidate Selection
During the meetings, BJP leaders engaged in detailed discussions about election strategy, particularly focusing on candidate selection. Some participants advocated for fielding new faces rather than relying on familiar candidates. A leader involved in the discussions emphasized, "The idea was to field winnable candidates to defeat the DMK, rather than giving another chance to familiar faces."
B L Santhosh also held a separate meeting with state-level BJP functionaries at the party's office, Kamalalayam in T Nagar. He reviewed poll preparedness and urged the state unit to enhance booth-level mobilization efforts. According to sources, Santhosh projected that the BJP would receive 20% more seats in alliances compared to the 2021 Assembly elections.
Caution Against Public Statements
In addition to strategic planning, Santhosh cautioned leaders against making public statements that could undermine the party's electoral messaging. This warning comes amid recent internal discussions over campaign roles and panel assignments, highlighting the need for unity and disciplined communication as election preparations intensify.
The reassignment of Kesava Vinayagam and the subsequent leadership changes reflect the BJP's efforts to streamline its organizational structure in Tamil Nadu, aiming to strengthen its electoral prospects through coordinated strategies and effective candidate selection.
