Bhubaneswar, Dec. 13: The race for the post of state BJP president is hotting up but the two central party observers, who arrived here today, are keen on a consensus.

The observers — national general secretary Narendra Singh Tomar and Santosh Gangwar, who is in charge Odisha affairs — held discussions with senior leaders to try and work out an agreement on a common name from among the main contenders.

Sources said frontrunners for the post included BJP legislature party leader K.V. Singhdeo, the two state vice-presidents Ashok Sahu and Sanchita Mohanty and general secretaries Nayan Mohanty and Basant Panda.

The names of national general secretary Dharmendra Pradhan and former state president Suresh Pujari are also doing the rounds, but while the former may not find time for the state because of his preoccupation with the party’s national affairs, the latter is likely to run short of support.

The RSS lobby is said to be keen on Sahu, who is seen as a hardliner and has a profile to match the post.

A former IPS officer who spent the better part of his active career in the Northeast, he is among the most well-read and articulate leaders of the party who often dominates TV debates.

Sources said that apart from the Parivar’s backing, Sahu also enjoys the support of the faction led by outgoing president Jual Oram, who is likely to lobby hard for him in his own interest.

With Sahu holding the reins of the party, Oram, a former Union minister, may find it easy to pursue his agenda and get even with rivals who campaigned vigorously for his ouster from the top post.

Senior party leaders said Nayan Mohanty and Basant Panda were also favoured by the RSS, which has nurtured them over the years, but the overall profile of Sahu may tilt the scales in his favour.

While the only trump card that Sanchita Mohanty possesses is that she happens to be a woman who had never had the opportunity to lead the party, K.V. Singhdeo may prefer the job of legislature party leader to the presidency of the state unit.

There is no denying the tough task that the two observers have on their hands.

Apart from contending with the claims of rival factions they also have to ensure that they choose a person capable of pulling the party out of its present morass.

“The new team will be decided after discussions. It will be a good team capable of leading the party to victory in the elections,” said Tomar reflecting the overwhelming sentiment within the party.