The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to announce its 12th national president on January 20, with state unit chiefs and other prominent leaders scheduled to gather at the party headquarters in Delhi on Monday to file nominations.
BJP national working president Nitin Nabin is expected to be elected unopposed, with party leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, backing his candidacy for the post.
Nominations for the position will be accepted between 2 pm and 4 pm on Monday, with scrutiny of the nomination papers scheduled from 4 pm to 5 pm. Candidates will have the option to withdraw their nominations between 5 pm and 6 pm, and the national election officer will issue a press statement at 6:30 pm.
The BJP national president is elected by an electoral college consisting of representatives from the party's national council and state councils, with the process overseen by the national returning officer.
According to the BJP's constitution, a candidate must be jointly proposed by at least 20 members of a state’s electoral college and must have a minimum of 15 years of membership.
"The polling will be held, if needed, on January 20 and an official announcement of the name of the new BJP national president will be made the same day," party's national returning officer K. Laxman had stated.
Nabin, a five-time MLA from Bihar, was recently appointed BJP national working president and is poised to become the youngest person to hold the top party post. His elevation marks a significant generational shift for the party as it prepares for critical elections in the coming years.
“The BJP is a democratic party where any worker, through hard work, can rise to the top. Be it Prime Minister Modi or Amit Shah, all began as party workers,” said BJP MP Hemant Savara. “The BJP is the only party focused on development-oriented politics,” he added.
Bihar BJP president Sanjay Saraogi expressed excitement over Nabin's likely elevation, saying that all workers and youth in Bihar are thrilled about the announcement.
“I am very happy that Prime Minister Modi has developed a new generation of leadership in the form of Nitin Nabin. I have come to Delhi today to support him as a proposer. He will move forward carrying the ideology of Narendra Modi and the BJP,” Saraogi said.
Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary echoed this sentiment, emphasising the inclusivity within the party and expressing joy at Nabin’s anticipated rise to the top post.
"This is a moment of joy for Bihar and a historic day for the BJP. Nitin Nabin will file his nomination as the youngest national president, and tomorrow we will welcome him as our new national president. Under his leadership, the BJP will grow even stronger," Choudhary said.