The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to appoint a new national president before the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. Several factors contribute to the delay in selecting the new president, including extensive consultations by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Sources indicate that with the monsoon session of Parliament concluded, the election process for the new national president will accelerate. The RSS has undertaken a detailed survey to gather opinions on the selection of the BJP’s national president.
The BJP is affiliated with the RSS, and the RSS plays a significant role in choosing the leader of the BJP, similar to other affiliated organizations. The RSS has contacted approximately 88 senior leaders to seek their suggestions for the new national president. Discussions have been held to gather their preferences for the new leader.
According to sources, consultations have involved former BJP presidents, senior union ministers, and leaders associated with the RSS and BJP who have held constitutional positions, with their suggestions being solicited.
* The Sangh has met with these 88 senior leaders individually to gather their suggestions regarding the new BJP president.
* Sources indicate that while several senior leaders proposed names, others expressed that they would agree with whatever name is decided.
* A former national president of the BJP, who also holds the second-highest constitutional position in the country, suggested the name of a central minister who has also served as a chief minister.
* A former national president closely associated with the Sangh, currently a Union Minister, has clearly stated to the RSS that he has neither offered suggestions nor will offer them, as the Sangh’s opinion is his final decision.
* A Union Minister, who has also been a chief minister, cited his age, indicating he is not prepared to take on the responsibility of party president, but added that he would not shy away if consensus emerges.
* A Union Minister, who has also served as the state president of a South Indian state, stated that he does not consider himself capable of taking on this responsibility.
* A common suggestion in the Sangh’s survey was that the new national president should be around 60 years old.
### National President Election to Follow
The election for the Vice President is scheduled for September 9. Currently, the BJP’s entire focus is on ensuring the NDA candidate secures the maximum votes. It is anticipated that state presidents will soon be elected in key states like UP, Karnataka, and Gujarat. Following this, the national president will be elected.
The extensive consultations for the new national president mirrored those conducted for state and district presidents. The BJP aimed for a consensus-based election to ensure organizational strength. Similarly, the BJP decided to give opportunities to youth in the election of mandal presidents. The party tried to ensure that the new mandal president is under forty years old.
As a result, the BJP gave opportunities to youth in most of the approximately 15,000 mandals across the country. Likewise, in the elections of district and state presidents, it was ensured that the person had been an active member of the BJP for at least ten years. This was based on lessons learned by the BJP in the past, as dissatisfaction among BJP workers was observed when leaders from other parties were given significant organizational responsibilities, although some exceptions were made.
