The BJP is poised to elect a new national president before the announcement of the Bihar assembly elections. The reasons for the delay in selecting the new president are multifaceted. One significant factor is the extensive consultations conducted by the RSS regarding the new president’s selection. Sources reveal that with the conclusion of the parliamentary monsoon session, the process for electing the new national president will be expedited. The RSS has undertaken an elaborate process of gathering opinions to aid in the selection of the BJP’s national president.
The BJP is an affiliated organization of the RSS. The RSS, much like with other affiliated bodies, plays a key role in the selection of the BJP’s head. The RSS has reached out to roughly 88 senior leaders to gather their suggestions for the new national president, seeking their preferences regarding the name.
According to sources, former BJP presidents, senior central ministers, and leaders linked to the RSS and BJP who have held constitutional positions have been included in the discussions, and their suggestions have been considered.
* The Sangh has met with 88 senior leaders individually to collect their suggestions regarding the new BJP president.
* Sources indicate that while several senior leaders suggested names, others stated they would consent to the chosen name.
* A former BJP national president and a leader holding the second-highest constitutional office in the country proposed a Union minister, who is also a former chief minister, as the new president.
* A former national president closely associated with the Sangh, currently a Union Minister, told the RSS he has never provided and will not provide suggestions or advice, as the Sangh’s opinion is his definitive opinion.
* A Union Minister, who has also served as a chief minister, cited his age and stated he is not prepared to take on the responsibility of party president, although he also acknowledged he would be open to the role if there was a consensus.
* A Union Minister, who was also the state president of a South Indian state, stated he does not consider himself capable of taking on the responsibility.
* A common suggestion from the Sangh’s survey was that the new national president should be around the age of 60.
### Election of the National President to Follow
The election for Vice President is scheduled for September 9. The BJP is currently focused on ensuring the NDA candidate receives the maximum votes. It’s reported that elections for state presidents in important states like UP, Karnataka, and Gujarat may be held soon. Following this, the national president will be elected.
The level of consultation for the new national president mirrored the process used for state and district presidents. The BJP’s aim was to hold the election with consensus to maintain organizational strength. Similarly, the BJP decided to give an opportunity to youth in the election of mandal presidents. The party aimed to ensure the new mandal president is under forty years old.
The result was the BJP provided opportunities to youth in the majority of approximately 15,000 mandals across the country. Similarly, for the election of district and state presidents, the party ensured that the individual had been an active member of the BJP for at least ten years. This was based on recent lessons learned by the BJP, as discontent was seen among BJP workers when leaders from other parties were given important roles within the organization. Some exceptions were observed.