The BJP and RSS have begun looking for a successor to JP Nadda. On Monday, senior leaders from both organizations held a five-hour meeting in Delhi to discuss this matter. The details of the decisions taken in the meeting are not yet public.
The search for a new BJP president has intensified. Since JP Nadda was appointed as a minister in the central government, the party has been looking for his replacement. Nadda’s term was extended until June 30 this year, but the BJP has yet to name a new president. Here’s what we know about when the new president might be announced and who the potential candidates are.
Meeting of BJP and RSS Leaders
The meeting on Monday took place at Defense Minister Rajnath Singh’s residence. The discussion lasted about five hours and included key figures such as Amit Shah, JP Nadda, BJP’s organizational general secretary BL Santosh, and RSS leaders Dattatreya Hosabole and Arun Kumar. It is still unclear if a decision was reached, but several names are being considered.
Possible Candidates
Names being discussed for the new BJP president include Shivraj Singh Chouhan, former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh; Manohar Lal Khattar, former Chief Minister of Haryana; Devendra Fadnavis, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra; and Bhupender Yadav, a central minister. All these leaders currently hold significant positions. Shivraj Singh Chouhan is seen as a strong candidate due to his extensive experience in both government and party organization. Some analysts, however, are skeptical of his candidacy because he is a central minister. It’s worth noting that Rajnath Singh and JP Nadda were also central ministers when they were appointed as BJP presidents.
Impact of Recent Elections
The BJP faced a setback in Uttar Pradesh in the recent Lok Sabha elections, where it finished in second place. The INDIA alliance won 43 seats in the state, and the BJP did not achieve a majority on its own, unlike in 2014 and 2019. Political experts believe that the alliance’s success in gaining support from backward and Dalit voters has led to a shift away from the BJP. The party is now looking to regain these voters, possibly by appointing an OBC leader as president. Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Bhupender Yadav could be strong contenders for this reason. On the other hand, Devendra Fadnavis, with his close ties to the RSS and Brahmin background, could also be a significant choice.
Upcoming Elections
Elections are also expected in Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Jammu and Kashmir later this year. BJP wants to appoint a new president before these crucial elections. The RSS coordination meeting in Palakkad, Kerala, is scheduled for August 31 and September 2. There is speculation that the BJP might announce a new president before this meeting.
