Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday, described newly-elected BJP national president Nitin Nabin as “my boss” in party matters and called the 45-year-old leader a “millennial”, framing his elevation as a generational shift in the organisation ahead of a fresh cycle of key state elections. Nabin responded in his speech, terming politics as “a marathon.”
Speaking at the BJP headquarters in Delhi, Modi said that despite being prime minister for a third term, his biggest pride was being a BJP worker, and that with Nabin now taking charge, “I am a worker and he is my boss,” underlining the primacy of the organisation over individuals.
At the well-participated event, which witnessed cabinet ministers, chief ministers, party leaders, and cadre in full attendance, Modi, outgoing chief J.P. Nadda, and Nabin highlighted the importance of organisation as they prepare for the next round of assembly polls. That will be Nitiin Nabin’s first challenge.
Projecting Nabin as a leader for the next phase of politics, Modi described him as a “millennial” who grew up in an India that moved from radio to Artificial Intelligence. He said Nabin brings “youthful energy” along with long organisational experience, and stressed that the new president will also have to manage coordination among NDA allies, not just within the BJP.
Modi’s warning: ‘Don’t repeat Congress’ mistakes’
Modi warned party workers against complacency and said the BJP must avoid repeating what he described as mistakes associated with Congress-era politics. He contrasted the BJP’s governance approach with what he called dynastic politics and unstable administrations, arguing that the BJP had focused on welfare delivery and reforms.
He also flagged emerging challenges, including illegal infiltration, which he described as a threat to national security and a risk to the rights of the poor and young people. Modi said political parties that shield infiltrators for vote-bank politics must be exposed.
He also targeted “urban Naxals”, alleging they attempt to intimidate individuals, including journalists, who acknowledge government actions positively.
Nitin Nabin: 2047 goal
In his first address after assuming charge, Nabin said the prime minister’s work as “Pradhan Sevak” had inspired workers across the country. He acknowledged senior leaders, including Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, J.P. Nadda, Nitin Gadkari, and organisational leaders such as B.L. Santosh and K. Laxman, along with chief ministers and union ministers.
Thanking the party leadership for elevating what he called an “ordinary worker” to the top post, Nabin said he saw the appointment not as holding a position but as accepting the responsibility of a nationalist movement rooted in Shyama Prasad Mukherjee’s nationalism, Deendayal Upadhyaya's Antyodaya and Vajpayee’s governance.
He reiterated the BJP’s welfare narrative, citing schemes such as Jal Jeevan Mission, toilets, housing delivery, Ayushman Bharat and Jan Dhan accounts, and linked major political decisions, including the Ram Temple and the Article 370 move, to what he described as a transformative phase in governance.
Calling the BJP “not a typical political party”, Nabin repeated the ideological line “Nation First, Party Next, Self Last,” and urged workers to treat politics as long-term, sustained work rather than short-term excitement. Addressing youth workers, he described politics as a “long marathon” and asked them to stay consistent at booths and mandals, saying the central leadership keeps close watch on performance.
With elections approaching in Tamil Nadu, Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, and Puducherry, Nabin called for a strong organisational push to expand the party’s footprint, and said workers must contribute to the goal of a “Developed India” by 2047.
Nadda: 2024 acknowledgment
In a rare acknowledgement of the party’s 2024 experience, Nadda said the Lok Sabha results did not fully match expectations and initially surprised both party workers and the public. However, he argued that the outcome created “restlessness” among voters, which later translated into stronger support for the BJP in subsequent contests.
He cited recent wins, including Maharashtra and Haryana, and claimed the BJP formed a government in Delhi after a 27-year gap. Nadda said the BJP-NDA currently governs 20 states, with the BJP leading 13 of them, and expressed confidence that the party would expand further and form governments in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, while returning to power in Assam.
Outgoing national president Nabin called the day historic and welcomed Naveen as the BJP’s 12th national president, describing him as “young, energetic and talented”.