Delay in election of new national president of BJP
2 min read
•Differences continue in organization, party
Raveesh Benjamin
New Delhi: There is uncertainty over the election of the new national president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). There is no consensus between the party and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in deciding the name for this post. For this reason, the current president J. P. Nadda has been given an additional term of 40 days. According to sources, the new president is unlikely to be announced before April 20.
Major reasons for delay in election
Pending elections of state presidents – According to the BJP constitution, before the election of the national president, it is necessary to elect state presidents in more than half of the states. Currently, elections have not been held in 24 out of 36 state units, which is disrupting the process.
Differences between RSS and BJP – RSS wants a face that is fully dedicated to the organization, while the BJP leadership wants a leader who can carry forward the party’s current strategy. This difference is also affecting the election process.
Important meeting of RSS on 21-23 March – RSS’s All India Representative Assembly is going to be held in Bengaluru from 21 to 23 March. In this meeting, the name of the new BJP president will be discussed. Political experts believe that only after this meeting can a name be finalized.
Delay due to religious reasons – BJP leadership wants to announce the new president on the occasion of Hindu New Year (30 March). Apart from this, Kharmas will be from 14 March to 14 April, in which no auspicious work is done. This can also delay the announcement of the new president.
Names of potential candidates
Shivraj Singh Chouhan – Former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and current Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s name is among the main contenders. He has been an old worker of the organization and is considered to be trusted by RSS.
Manohar Lal Khattar – Former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar is also a strong candidate. He comes from RSS background and is considered capable of taking the organization’s ideology forward.
Possibility of a female president – RSS has advised BJP to give the post of president to a woman leader this time, so that women voters can be attracted under the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Act’. However, no name of any female candidate has come out so far.
The election of the new national president of BJP is getting delayed due to organizational, political and religious reasons. No name has been announced so far due to lack of consensus between RSS and BJP. A big decision can be taken on this after the RSS meeting to be held on 21-23 March and Hindu New Year on 30 March. There is a possibility of announcement of the new national president by 20 April.
