Sources say consultations included former party chiefs, senior Union Ministers, and RSS-linked leaders; announcement expected before Bihar election dates.
New BJP President Expected Soon Amid Wide-Ranging Consultations
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to appoint a new National President before the Bihar Assembly election dates are officially declared, according to sources familiar with the matter.
However, the selection process has been delayed due to multiple key factors, including internal consultations, the vice-presidential election, and ongoing state-level leadership appointments.
Top 100 Leaders Consulted Across BJP and RSS
One of the primary reasons for the delay is the extensive internal consultation process:
- The BJP and its ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), have reached out to over 100 senior leaders.
- Discussions involved former BJP presidents, Union Ministers, and leaders with constitutional experience.
- Many of those consulted have strong affiliations with the RSS or long-standing histories within the BJP.
Vice Presidential Election Caused Strategic Delay
Another contributing factor is the unexpected Vice Presidential election, triggered by the sudden resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar.
- The BJP is focused on ensuring a strong win for its candidate, Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan.
- Strategic planning for this election has temporarily redirected focus from internal organisational matters.
State-Level Appointments Still in Progress
The BJP’s constitution requires that at least 19 out of 36 state and union territory units must have an elected president before a new national head can be appointed.
- As of last month, the BJP had completed this process in 28 states.
- Remaining states include:
- Uttar Pradesh
- Gujarat
- Karnataka
- Haryana
- Delhi
- Jharkhand
- Punjab (where a working president is already in place)
- Manipur
The party wants these leadership roles filled to maintain organizational alignment and readiness before announcing the next national leader.
Current President JP Nadda’s Extended Tenure
The current BJP National President, JP Nadda, was elected in January 2020.
- His initial three-year term ended in 2023.
- He has since received two extensions:
- First, to oversee preparations for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
- Second, to manage ongoing organizational restructuring within the party.
Focus on Youth and Loyalty in New Leadership Structure
The BJP is also restructuring its leadership at the district and mandal levels:
- For mandal chiefs, the age cap has been set at below 40 years to promote next-generation leadership.
- District and state chiefs must have:
- A minimum of 10 years of active BJP membership.
- This move aims to address dissatisfaction among long-term workers, especially concerning the rise of leaders from other parties who have been given significant roles.
Some exceptions have been made, but the emphasis remains on loyalty and long-term contribution to the party.
Decision Imminent, Announcement Expected Soon
With consultations nearly complete and state-level elections wrapping up, the BJP is expected to finalize and announce its new National President in the coming weeks—likely before the Bihar election schedule is revealed.
This leadership change will play a critical role in shaping the party’s strategy for upcoming state elections and the 2029 general election cycle.
