Patna, Bihar – Nitin Nabin's appointment as the National Working President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has triggered a wave of reactions, with the opposition seizing the moment to criticize the move. The BJP's parliamentary board appointed Nabin, a Bihar cabinet minister, to the post on Sunday.
The opposition has been quick to mock the appointment, alleging that it is a clear example of the "Parchee System at work". This refers to a system where political appointments and favors are distributed based on patronage and connections rather than merit, a claim frequently leveled against various political parties in India.
Nitin Nabin, born in 1980, has been a prominent figure in Bihar politics. He is a five-term MLA from Bankipur and has held multiple ministerial portfolios in the Bihar government, including Minister of Road Construction, Urban Development & Housing, and Law & Justice. He began his political journey with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the RSS, and has since served in various organizational positions within the BJP, including National General Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) and BJP in-charge for Sikkim and co-in-charge for Chhattisgarh.
The BJP, however, has defended Nabin's appointment, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailing him as a "hardworking Karyakarta" with rich organizational experience and an impressive record as an MLA and Minister. Other senior BJP leaders, including J. P. Nadda and Rajnath Singh, have also welcomed the appointment, expressing confidence that Nabin will strengthen the party. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also congratulated Nabin, noting it was a matter of happiness that someone from Bihar has been appointed as the national working president of the BJP.
The appointment comes as the BJP transitions its leadership, with J. P. Nadda having completed his term as president. Some within the BJP see Nabin's elevation as a potential first step towards him succeeding Nadda as the party president. After the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Nadda also spent a considerable time as the national working president before being elevated to the party president’s role full-time.
Nabin's appointment has also been viewed through the lens of caste dynamics in Bihar politics. He belongs to the Kayastha community, and his elevation marks a return to prominence for forward caste leaders within the party's national structure.
In response to the appointment, Nabin vowed to strengthen the party from the booth level to the national level. He expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP President J. P. Nadda for giving him the opportunity to serve the party.
Despite the BJP's defense and Nabin's commitment, the opposition's criticism highlights the ongoing debate about transparency and fairness in political appointments. The coming days will reveal how Nabin navigates these challenges and leads the BJP in his new role.
