Kollam: BJP national president Nitin Nabin is expected to announce the party's new national office-bearers by mid-June, with indications that several leaders from Kerala, including K Surendran, may find a place in the list. At present, AP Abdullakutty and Anil Antony are the only national office-bearers from Kerala.

Sobha Surendran, George Kurian and Padmaja Venugopal are also being considered for national responsibilities. Since the BJP traditionally assigns significant positions to outgoing state presidents, K Surendran is likely to be appointed a national secretary.

There are discussions about appointing Sobha Surendran as National General Secretary of the BJP Mahila Morcha. George Kurian, whose Rajya Sabha term is nearing completion, could be named either National President or General Secretary of the Minority Morcha. Anil Antony or Anoop Antony may be nominated to the Rajya Sabha.

There is also speculation that the upcoming Union Cabinet expansion could see a minister from Kerala replacing George Kurian. Rajya Sabha MP C Sadanandan is among the names being mentioned for a ministerial berth.

State-level reshuffle also on cards

A major organisational reshuffle is also expected within the Kerala BJP. State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar is understood to have discussed with the national leadership the replacement of certain state office-bearers and district presidents who performed poorly.

The party leadership is reportedly considering changes in district units including Thiruvananthapuram North, Ernakulam City, Kottayam West, Kottayam East, Pathanamthitta, Palakkad East, Malappuram East, Kozhikode Rural, Thrissur North, Thrissur City and Alappuzha North. However, there is said to be strong pressure against removing some of these office-bearers.

As the BJP follows a "one person, one post" principle, Thiruvananthapuram Mayor VV Rajesh may lose his position as state secretary. If Sobha Surendran moves to the national leadership, a state general secretary post would become vacant. Should Anoop Antony enter the Rajya Sabha, Shaun George is seen as a potential candidate for the general secretary position.

With discussions on the reorganisation underway, district leaders are reportedly approaching the state leadership with performance reports and statistics to demonstrate their effectiveness and retain their positions.