The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to announce its new National President soon, with the process potentially gaining momentum in the coming weeks. However, before this key decision is finalized, the party is expected to finalize the appointment of state presidents in several key regions, most notably Uttar Pradesh.
Several sources confirm that the BJP is prioritizing the appointment of new state party chiefs in major states, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The election of state presidents is a necessary precursor to the election of the National President, as the BJP's constitution stipulates that organizational polls should be completed in at least 50% of its state units before the process to elect the national president can begin.
In Uttar Pradesh, caste dynamics are expected to play a crucial role in the selection of the new state president. While a Brahmin candidate was initially considered, there is increasing demand within the party to appoint a leader from the Other Backward Classes (OBC). This reflects the BJP's strategic effort to strengthen its OBC voter base, especially in light of recent electoral trends. The BJP has announced the names of district presidents of 68 districts in Uttar Pradesh. The BJP organisation in the state now has 98 district/city presidents and names of 30 district office-bearers are yet to be announced.
The appointment of the Uttar Pradesh state president is expected to be announced soon, potentially by the end of this month or early next month, depending on the announcement of state council members. Speculation is rife that the new leader may come from the backward communities, with a focus on the Lodh caste, linked to the late Kalyan Singh. With Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav’s push for PDA (backward, dalit and minorities), a section of the BJP cadre and political analysts feel that the saffron party may prioritize a leader from the backward communities as its new UP chief.
Once the state president for Uttar Pradesh and other key states have been appointed, the BJP will move forward with the process of selecting its next National President. The new party president will succeed Jagat Prakash Nadda, who has held the post since 2019 and whose term has already ended, and he is currently serving on an extension. His successor is expected to be chosen through consensus.
Several names are currently circulating as potential contenders for the BJP National President post. These include Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, an OBC leader from Odisha known for his organizational skills and close ties to the central leadership; Manohar Lal Khattar, former Haryana CM and now a Union Minister, seen as a candidate who brings administrative continuity and experience; and Shivraj Singh Chouhan, a former Madhya Pradesh chief minister.
The incoming National President will bear the responsibility of overseeing upcoming state elections in several states and may also play a crucial role in steering the party into the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. The new party chief will also have to navigate the evolving political scenario in light of the impending delimitation exercise and the implementation of women's reservation following the census.
The BJP is expected to groom a new generation of leaders, well-versed in organizational matters, who can carry the party forward in the years ahead. The party is expected to weigh caste representation, regional balance, and leadership experience before finalizing the choice.
