With BJP's organisational elections concluded in most of the states, the saffron party is one step closer to appointment of a new national president. The process of electing a new chief could kick off by the middle of this month, reports Hindustan Times.
BJP is likely to issue a notification regarding this next week. As per BJP's constitution, the national president can be elected only after completion of elections in more than half the states. The election process could reportedly be completed by the third or fourth week of June, according to sources cited by News18.
Who will be next BJP president?
Though it is not clear if JP Nadda will contest elections once again, reports suggests that there are three names doing rounds. Nadda's term has already been extended. He was elected president in January 2020 and it was extended in 2023.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who helped BJP win the Odisha elections, is considered an apt candidate, according to Hindustan Times. His OBC background and closeness to the BJP central leadership are also seen as added advantages.
Another name doing the rounds is former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who is currently serving as Union minister. Being a three-time CM and a stalwart with strong influence in his home state, Chouhan could also be among the top candidates vying for the post.
Manohar Lal Khattar is another former CM who moved to the Union cabinet last year. The former Haryana chief minister, who served in the post twice, was an RSS pracharak for 17 years and later served as the BJP state unit's organisational general secretary for 14 years since 2000. His vast experience in running the party at state level makes him yet another ideal candidate.