New Delhi: In a strategic move to bolster its organisational strength, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is gearing up to elect its new national president before the announcement of the Bihar Assembly elections.
Party sources reveal that a panel of potential candidates has already been shortlisted by the top leadership, with consultations set to resume after the Vice Presidential polls on September 9.
The decision comes amid a flurry of internal preparations, including the selection of state presidents in key regions like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Karnataka. This step is crucial, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, elected from Uttar Pradesh, and Home Minister Amit Shah, from Gujarat, must first be elected to the national council. Only then can they serve as proposers for the national president’s nomination papers.
According to the BJP’s constitution, the election for the top post cannot proceed until presidents are in place in at least 19 out of the 36 state and Union Territory units.
Insiders emphasise that the choice will prioritise organisational prowess over caste, regional, or social considerations. “There won’t be any shocking name,” a source close to the developments told TV9 Hindi. The new leader is likely to be a familiar heavyweight with proven experience in handling national-level responsibilities, ensuring continuity and focus on fortifying the party’s grassroots network.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological mentor of the BJP, has played a pivotal role in this process. It has sought inputs from around 88 senior leaders to shape the consensus. A key agreement emerging from these discussions is that the ideal candidate should be around 60 years old, blending experience with vitality. However, if logistical hurdles delay the process, the election could be pushed to after the Bihar polls.
This transition marks the end of JP Nadda’s tenure, who was first elected as president in January 2020. His term has been extended twice — once ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and again for ongoing organisational revamp. The party has also rolled out reforms at the mandal level, introducing a 40-year age cap to nurture the next generation of leaders. For district and state chiefs, a minimum of 10 years of active BJP membership is now mandatory, addressing cadre grievances over the prominence of leaders imported from other parties.
As the BJP eyes a strong showing in Bihar, this leadership refresh underscores its commitment to internal democracy and long-term stability. With the electoral battleground heating up, all eyes are on who will steer the saffron ship next.