The BJP high command has appointed Ram Madhav, a veteran strategist, to manage the party’s campaign and ticket distribution for the upcoming Bengaluru civic polls. This decision reflects the State unit’s internal chaos and the high command stepping in to take control, party insiders said. High command-led micro-managed campaigns are not a new tactic; similar strategies succeeded in Hyderabad and Kerala. In 2020, Bhupender Yadav led Hyderabad’s civic polls campaign. However, the BJP is weaker in those States compared to Karnataka. Unlike Maharashtra’s recent civic polls where local leader Devendra Fadnavis managed the BJP campaign, in Karnataka, the central leadership has chosen a different route. Despite BJP’s past wins in Bengaluru and twice forming the State government, appointing Ram Madhav signals “no confidence” in local leaders, one senior party member said. State president B.Y. Vijayendra faces ongoing dissent and uncertain future. The suspension of rebel leader Basanagouda R. Patil Yatnal has not calmed factional disputes. Bengaluru city unit struggles with internal conflicts too. R. Ashok, the city’s BJP Leader of Opposition, faces opposition including from his own Vokkaliga community MLAs. A former city BJP councillor welcomed Madhav’s appointment, hoping it will stop factions from dominating ticket decisions. He said, "Now we hope surveys, data and winnability will guide the exercise." In 2015, BJP won a majority in Bengaluru’s civic body but lost control due to post-poll coalition by Congress, JD(S), and Independents. This past mismanagement drives the high command to take strict control this time, party sources said.