New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to declare its new national president by mid-March, bringing an end to J.P. Nadda’s staged presidential term. This decision will be taken after the organisational elections are done in more than 13 states, in line with the party’s constitution requiring that more than half of the state units need to have elected their presidents before the national head is elected.
Females may prefer a female leader
There are rumours that the BJP is considering nominating a woman from South India as the national president. Not only would it bolster the party’s position in the southern states domestically, but also it would be a strong indicator of its willingness to treat women as equals. Among the strong contenders for this position are Daggubati Purandeshwari, the Andhra Pradesh BJP chief and Vanathi Srinivasan, the BJP Mahila Morcha national president.
We may refer to Daggubati Purandeshwari—a front-runner with a rich organisational tradition and an able commander—as the Sushma Swaraj of the South. She has played a key role in BJP affairs since joining them in 2014, sporting a proficiency in five languages.
BJP’s Focus on Women Voters
BJP has always said that women voters will decide their fate, but priorities have changed—not only in this election but also over the last seven years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi and the BJP leaders had, during the Delhi Assembly polls and the last Lok Sabha elections, even described women as the strongest supporters of the party, making it a point to claim that the party achieved electoral success riding on their support. This focus on women’s support fits in perfectly with the BJP’s strategy of amplifying itself across gender lines.
In addition, the BJP’s announcement of 33% reservation for women in Parliament further demonstrates its dedication to gender equality in governance. Having a woman as the BJP president would reinforce this message, increase the party’s appeal among women voters, and elevate its status as a champion of gender equality.
Implications of changing leaders
The appointment of a new national head will shape the trajectory and approach of the BJP for years to come. The choice of a new leader will prove crucial for the party as it prepares ahead of elections in the states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, among others, which could play a massive role in shaping the party’s electoral prospects and organisational dynamics.
The possible appointment of a female national president is also part of this ongoing project, which aims to widen the BJP’s appeal but primarily bolster the party’s organisational muscle, at least in South India. Such a decision would be in keeping with the overall commitment to the empowerment of women—a decision that will be key to its electoral success in the long run.