Karnataka on the BJP high command’s radar as Nitin Nabin prepares to make his maiden visit to the state

After the victory in West Bengal, the Bharatiya Janata Party high command seems to be shifting its focus to Karnataka, even though the Assembly elections are two years away. The high command seems to have decided to focus on strengthening its organization in the state, which is seen as the party’s gateway to South India.

This follows the first visit of the party’s national president Nitin Nabin, who took charge in January this year, to the state. Mr. Nabin will arrive in Bengaluru for a three-day visit on May 23.

Hectic preparations

Although it looks like a routine exercise as Mr Nabin is here to attend the party’s district-level organizational workshop being held across the country, the ongoing preparations indicate the importance attached to it.

His visit appears to be part of the process of drawing up a plan to galvanize the party cadre. His visit was preceded by two key events – a public convention to mark five decades of party veteran BS Yediyurappa’s public life in Chitradurga and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public address in Bengaluru.

Ahead of Mr. Nabin’s visit, BJP national joint organizing secretary Shivaprakash has been camping in Bengaluru since May 20. He is reportedly holding meetings with prominent party leaders and officials to strengthen the party organization in view of the 2028 assembly elections, besides canvassing for corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA).

On the continuation of BYV

There is also speculation that he may hold informal consultations on the possibility of declaring the incumbent BY Vijayendra’s state chief as president for a full term in a bid to avoid uncertainty over his tenure during the run-up to the elections, especially for the GBA. However, any statement in this regard would have to be made only after consulting the party’s central leaders, including Amit Shah. Party sources say any decision is likely to be taken and announced in Delhi.

Meanwhile, Mr. Nabin will hold meetings with party legislators, office-bearers and state central committee members, besides attending the Bengaluru North unit’s prashikshana varga, the party’s cadre training camp. Cadres expect Mr Nabin’s visit to mark the beginning of concrete efforts to strengthen the organisation, especially after the party recently lost by-elections in two assembly constituencies. Earlier, the BJP central leadership seemed to be busy with other poll-bound states to focus on its faction-dominated Karnataka unit.

However, recent developments, including its own landmark victory in West Bengal and the opposition’s continued political stranglehold in the southern region, appear to have prompted the party’s national leadership to seek to regain control of Karnataka.

Since the BJP was able to form a government in the south in Karnataka for the first time, the party’s national unit is believed to be of the view that having a government and a strong organization in Karnataka would help it gain ground in other southern states.

Published – 21 May 2026 20:00 IST