Key Points:
- BJP likely to appoint its first-ever woman national president, with Nirmala Sitharaman, D Purandeswari, and Vanathi Srinivasan as frontrunners.
- Election process delayed by over two years, but now expected to conclude between July 10 and 19, 2025.
- Recent completion of state-level organisational polls paves way for national leadership change.
- RSS supports move for female leadership, viewing it as both symbolic and strategic.
- Other prominent OBC leaders, including Bhupendra Yadav and Dharmendra Pradhan, remain in contention.
New Delhi: After a prolonged delay of nearly two and a half years, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is poised to elect a new national president, with the process expected to conclude before the Monsoon session of Parliament begins on July 21, 2025. The party has recently completed organisational elections in over 22 states, fulfilling the constitutional requirement to initiate the national president’s selection.
Why the Delay?
The transition has been unusually protracted. JP Nadda’s term as national president ended in January 2023, but he received multiple extensions to oversee the party through the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and subsequent state assembly polls. Internal organisational elections and the need to achieve consensus with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) further delayed the process.
Historic Possibility: First Woman President
For the first time in its history, the BJP is likely to appoint a woman as its national president. The frontrunners include:
- Nirmala Sitharaman: Currently Union Finance Minister, Sitharaman is seen as a strong contender due to her extensive administrative experience, her roots in Tamil Nadu, and her appeal to both the party base and the broader electorate. Her recent meetings with JP Nadda and General Secretary BL Santhosh have fueled speculation about her elevation.
- D Purandeswari: Another senior leader from Andhra Pradesh, Purandeswari is also being considered, reflecting the party’s focus on southern expansion.
- Vanathi Srinivasan: The BJP Mahila Morcha chief, Srinivasan’s name has gained traction as the party seeks to project a strong female leadership image.
Sources indicate the RSS has endorsed the idea of a woman president, viewing it as both a symbolic and strategic move especially after the passage of the 33% women’s reservation bill in Parliament.
OBC Leaders in the Race
While the focus is on a possible woman president, OBC leaders remain significant contenders:
- Bhupendra Yadav: Known for his electoral management skills and OBC background, Yadav is considered a frontrunner, especially with upcoming elections in Bihar, where the Yadav community is influential.
- Dharmendra Pradhan: With strong RSS ties and organisational experience, Pradhan is another key name in the mix.
- Keshav Prasad Maurya: The Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh has also emerged as a late-stage contender, with his OBC credentials seen as advantageous for the party’s electoral strategy.
What’s Next?
The BJP has reportedly shortlisted five to six candidates, and the final selection is expected to be made between July 10 and 19, following Prime Minister Modi’s return from his foreign tour. The new president is expected to lead the party into several crucial state elections, including Bihar in 2025 and Uttar Pradesh in 2027.
Organisational Overhaul and RSS Influence
The recent state-level appointments have been marked by a preference for leaders with deep organisational roots and RSS connections, indicating a tightening of the BJP-RSS relationship. The selection of the new national president is seen as a critical decision, not just for the party’s immediate future, but also for its long-term strategy leading up to the 2029 general elections.
Public and Internal Reactions
The delay in appointing a new president has drawn criticism from within the party, with many workers and leaders expressing concern over the negative public perception it has created. However, the prospect of a woman president is widely viewed as a move that could restore the party’s image and energise its base, especially among women voters.
The BJP is on the cusp of a historic leadership change, with the likelihood of its first woman national president becoming a reality this month. The final decision, balancing organisational experience, regional representation, and caste dynamics, will shape the party’s direction in the coming years.
