Bengaluru: The terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, has disrupted BJP’s timeline to appoint a new national president, casting uncertainty over key organisational appointments — including the top position in the Karnataka unit. BY Vijayendra, incumbent state president, remains in a state of limbo even as his supporters are hopeful that he would continue in the post.
BJP’s constitution mandates a tiered electoral process, beginning with the appointment of district presidents, followed by state unit heads, and culminating in the selection of a national president. Party bylaws require elections to be completed in at least half of its 37 organisational state units, before a national chief can be chosen.

Despite this structure, appointments to top posts are typically made via consensus by the party high command. Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and G Kishan Reddy are among those being considered to succeed JP Nadda, the outgoing president. The entire reshuffle process was expected to conclude by April 30.
Changes in brass in key states like Karnataka, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh were also slated for completion by that deadline. However, the April 23 terror strike in Pahalgam has shifted the Centre’s focus to national security, temporarily halting party decisions.
“Yesterday (April 30) was the informal deadline to appoint a party president but the process has been delayed since circumstances have changed,” said Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy, BJP national secretary and co-in charge of Karnataka. “However, with the country showing exemplary resilience in the aftermath of the terror attack, BJP will soon resume routine activities. Party brass is expected to take a call on a new president later this month.”
The party’s parliamentary board — its highest decision-making body — will take the final call on appointments. Senior functionaries said the high command now aims to complete the appointments of state and national president by May 11. Signalling a return to normal political activity, the BJP is also set to resume its Janaakrosha Yatre from May 7. The state-wide campaign, which targets the Congress govt over price rise, was suspended after the terror attack.
Vijayendra, first-time MLA from Shikaripura and son of former chief minister BS Yediyurappa, was appointed state president in Dec 2023. With no major internal resistance and since he is still early in his term, party insiders say the high command is inclined to retain him.
“There was an issue of indiscipline, but the high command took care of it by expelling MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal. Now, ratifying Vijayendra as president is only a formality which we hope will be completed soon,” said P Rajiv, BJP state general secretary.
With his main critic Yatnal, expelled for indiscipline, the atmosphere within the party has shifted in Vijayendra’s favour, paving the way for further organisational restructuring and the appointment of new office bearers.