Ananth Kumar's demise leaves huge void in Karnataka BJP

The untimely demise of Union minister Ananth Kumar has left a void in the state BJP leadership, something which the party is bound to find hard to fill.

Ananth Kumar, a six-time MP, was one of the most influential leaders in the BJP. He was the Man Friday of the state BJP and the party had always looked towards his guidance politically or otherwise.

Ananth Kumar had a remarkable political acumen and had brought the party out from tricky and complicated situations on several occasions.

He became the president of the state unit of the BJP in 2003 and helped it emerge as the single largest party in the Legislative Assembly elections the next year. He had the right connections in the right places.

BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa is now 75 years and over the last few months has lost grip in running the party.

Ananth Kumar had age on his side. With his demise, the party has a lost a capable leader. As it is, the state BJP has a dearth of young leaders who could take the party forward confidently.

Being the member of the BJP's parliamentary board, Kumar was often regarded as the "Delhi face" of the Karnataka BJP and also for the state government who could be counted upon for taking issues concerning Karnataka.

It will also be a challenge for the BJP to find a candidate for Bengaluru South Lok Sabha constituency which Ananth Kumar represented for the last 22 years.

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