The BJP has set the wheels in motion to elect its new national president, with the party on Friday appointing three senior leaders to oversee internal organisational elections in key states. Current BJP national president JP Nadda has been serving on an extended term since June last year. He was recently inducted into Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Cabinet for a third consecutive term.
In an official letter, the party informed that Union minister Kiren Rijiju has been named the election officer for Maharashtra, while Harsh Malhotra will oversee the process in Uttarakhand. Ravi Shankar Prasad has been tasked with conducting the election in West Bengal.
As per the BJP’s constitution, the national president can only be elected after organisational elections are completed in at least half of the 37 state and Union Territory units, plus one. So far, new state chiefs have been appointed in 14 units. Crucial states like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana are yet to go through the process.
The new BJP president will play a pivotal role in shaping the party’s roadmap ahead of the 2026 state elections and the 2029 Lok Sabha polls. The internal election is also expected to energise the party’s grassroots machinery, as it involves organisational participation from the bottom up.
Top contenders for the top post
While no official list of contenders is released by the party, there are discussions in political corridors about the frontrunners for the role. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, a prominent OBC leader from Odisha, is among the names. Pradhan is known for his close ties to the BJP’s central leadership and strong organisational track record.
Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, now a union minister, is also seen as a strong candidate due to his mass appeal and long-standing political experience. Another key name in the mix is former Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar, who recently joined the Modi Cabinet.