Disagreement persists between BJP high command and RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) regarding the selection of the national president. The organizational process is stalled due to the pending elections of state presidents.
New Delhi: A deadlock continues within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) between the organization and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) regarding the selection of a new national president. The current president, J.P. Nadda's term ended in January 2023. However, his term was extended until June due to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Now that the elections are over, consensus is not being reached within the organization on the selection of a new president.
The Sangh wants the party leadership to be held by a person who can strengthen the organization and improve the party's internal structure. On the other hand, the party high command is looking for a face that can also deliver a political message. Due to the difference in their priorities, the decision is being delayed.
Appointment of Executive President Delayed
According to senior party sources, if the party high command wanted, it could have announced an executive president in June 2024, signaling that the permanent president would be the same, as happened with J.P. Nadda after Amit Shah in 2019. At that time, Nadda was made the executive president and was appointed as the full president in 2020. However, this time, that process was not adopted.
Organizational elections are necessary in 19 states
According to the BJP's constitution, the party has to complete organizational elections in 19 states before the election of the national president. Currently, this process has been completed in only 14 states. On Friday, the party appointed election officers for organizational elections in the remaining states. Kiran Rijiju in Maharashtra, Harsh Malhotra in Uttarakhand, and Ravi Shankar Prasad in West Bengal have been given this responsibility.
The election for the national president cannot be announced until the elections for state presidents are held in these states. The party aims to complete organizational elections first in large states like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and West Bengal.
Caste equations are a barrier in Uttar Pradesh
The party is also facing difficulties in the selection of the state president in Uttar Pradesh. Names of leaders from the Dalit and OBC communities are under consideration. Potential candidates include Dharampal Singh, B.L. Verma, Swatantra Dev Singh, Dinesh Sharma, Baburam Nishad, and Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti. The final decision rests with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
Yediyurappa's recommendation in Karnataka, but disagreements also
In Karnataka, former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa wants his son, Vijayendra, to be made the state president once again. But a section of the party believes that Vijayendra's leadership could cause controversy in the state. Other options include discussions on the names of Sunil Kumar (OBC) and C.T. Ravi (Vokkaliga community).
Agreement possible on Ravindra Chavan in Maharashtra
In Maharashtra, the party has already made Ravindra Chavan the executive president. It is believed that Chavan himself may be appointed as the full-time president. Chavan is considered close to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, which increases the chances of consensus on his name.
Several contenders in West Bengal, RSS objections
In West Bengal, Sukanta Majumdar is currently working as the executive president, but he also holds a ministerial position in the central government. In such a situation, the question arises whether he will be able to fulfill the full responsibility of the party president. Apart from him, the names of Rajya Sabha MP Shamik Bhattacharya, Subhendu Adhikari, Locket Chatterjee, and Agnimitra Paul are in discussion. The RSS is said to object to the name of Subhendu Adhikari because he came to the BJP from the TMC.
Caste balance is the biggest challenge in Madhya Pradesh
Considering the large population of OBC, SC, and ST categories in Madhya Pradesh, the selection of the state president has become an extremely sensitive issue. Potential names include Gajendra Patel, Faggan Singh Kulaste (tribal category), Lal Singh Arya, Pradeep Laria (Scheduled Caste), and Kavita Patidar. Since Chief Minister Mohan Yadav is from the OBC category, there is a greater possibility of consensus on the name of a leader from another category.
Patidar or OBC face may become president in Gujarat
In Gujarat, there is a discussion about giving the responsibility of the president's post to a Patidar leader from the Saurashtra region. Potential names include Dilip Sanghani, Janak Patel, Jagdish Vishwakarma, and Mayank Nayak. OBC leaders may also be given preference this time because the Chief Minister is already from the Patidar community.
Final discussion may be held at the Sangh meeting
The RSS's All India Provincial Campaigner meeting will be held in Delhi between July 4 and 6. This meeting will be attended by Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale, and six Sah Sarkaryavahs. According to sources, the name of the party's new president may be discussed during this meeting and final consensus may be reached.
