Political Maneuvering Intensifies for BJP's National President Election
Political Preparations for BJP's National President Election
The political process for selecting the new president of the BJP has commenced once again. Intense discussions have been taking place in Delhi over the past three days to finalize the name of the new party leader. Nominations for new state presidents in Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana are set to be submitted on Monday, with an announcement expected on July 1. However, the situation regarding the president of Uttar Pradesh remains unresolved.
State Organizational Elections Critical for BJP
For the election of the new national president, organizational elections in 19 states are essential for the BJP. Currently, the party has appointed state presidents in 14 states, with nominations for four more states due on Monday. Meetings are ongoing to determine new state presidents in nine states, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Uttarakhand.
Senior Leaders Oversee Organizational Elections
To oversee the organizational elections in Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal, the party has appointed three senior leaders. Former Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad will manage the elections in West Bengal, while Union Minister Kiren Rijiju will oversee Maharashtra, and Union Minister Harsh Malhotra will handle Uttarakhand.
Upcoming Announcements for State Presidents
Nominations for the new state presidents in Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana will be submitted on Monday, with announcements expected the following day. With assembly elections approaching in West Bengal next year, the current state president, Sukanta Majumdar, has become a Union Minister, prompting the need for a new candidate.
Potential Candidates for State Leadership
In Maharashtra, the current acting president, Ravindra Chavan, is likely to be given a chance. For Himachal Pradesh, the announcement of the BJP president will be made by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh. Mahendra Bhatt currently leads the Uttarakhand BJP, but his term has ended, leaving the possibility of either an extension or the introduction of a new face.
Importance of Organizational Elections
JP Nadda's term as BJP president has concluded, having taken over in 2020 and receiving an extension last June. The party is now focused on electing a new president, which cannot occur until organizational elections are completed in over 50% of the states and union territories. Out of 37 states and union territories, at least 19 must complete their organizational election processes.
Finalizing Decisions Before PM Modi's Foreign Trip
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on an eight-day trip to five countries starting Wednesday. The party aims to finalize the names of state presidents before this trip, coinciding with the ongoing meeting of the national organization leaders. If this does not happen, the election for the party president may be postponed until after the Bihar assembly elections scheduled for October-November.
Strategic Considerations for Uttar Pradesh Leadership
The most significant challenge lies in Uttar Pradesh, where the current president, Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary, has completed his term, and a new candidate is being sought. The appointment of a new president in Uttar Pradesh is prioritized, given the state's political significance and the upcoming assembly elections in 2027.
BJP's Strategy for Caste Representation
The BJP's strategy involves appointing a leader from the OBC or Dalit community in Uttar Pradesh, where Yogi Adityanath, from the Thakur caste, currently holds power. The party aims to balance power dynamics by assigning organizational responsibilities to OBC or Dalit leaders, especially after losing votes from these communities in the last Lok Sabha elections. However, the decision remains pending as discussions continue.