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The search for a new BJP president has begun as incumbent JP Nadda's term has come to an end. Nadda was appointed as the BJP's working president in 2019 and later elevated as the full-time president in 2020. His three-year term was extended till June 2024, but with the Lok Sabha elections now over, the party is looking for a new leader.
Two names that were being actively discussed for the post, Dharmendra Pradhan and Shivraj Singh Chouhan, can now be ruled out as they have both been inducted into the new Narendra Modi cabinet. This leaves four other contenders in the race: Vinod Tawde, K Laxman, Sunil Bansal, and Om Mathur.
Vinod Tawde is a former minister in the Maharashtra government and is currently one of the most influential general secretaries in the BJP. He is young, understands the organization, and is a Maratha, a key demographic for the BJP.
K Laxman is the BJP's OBC Morcha chief and has also served as the party's state president in Telangana. He is known for his ability to balance being cool and aggressive.
Sunil Bansal is the general secretary in-charge of three states, West Bengal, Telangana, and Odisha. He is a power center in UP politics and has an RSS background, but this may face opposition from some party leaders.
Om Mathur is a Rajya Sabha member from Rajasthan and a protégé of Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. He is known for his ability to cut to the point and has been in-charge of Gujarat, PM Modi's home state.
However, the BJP is also considering the possibility of having its first woman president, especially given the increasing participation and electoral worth of women voters. One name that has emerged as a potential candidate is Smriti Irani, the former Union minister who is known for her aggression and her desire to prove herself after losing the Amethi Lok Sabha seat.
The BJP is expected to make a decision on its new president soon.
Source: Who After Nadda? 2 Ruled Out, 4 in Contention And A Surprise 5th Name in Race to be BJP Chief