Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, Delhi, June 8, 2025: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is preparing to initiate the formal process of selecting its next national president, with internal discussions intensifying in recent weeks. While the party has yet to make an official announcement, sources suggest that the process could formally begin as early as mid-June.
According to party insiders, organizational elections—a constitutional prerequisite for electing the national president—have been completed in most states. The announcement of 70 new district presidents in Uttar Pradesh has further fueled speculation that the party is moving closer to finalizing its top leadership post. The process had briefly stalled following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, but has since regained momentum.
Ahead of the national appointment, the BJP is likely to carry out a major reshuffle in key state units. Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttarakhand are among the states expected to see new leadership at the state level.
In Uttar Pradesh, internal demands for greater representation from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) have led to reconsideration of the candidate profile. While a Brahmin leader was earlier seen as a likely pick, the current sentiment within the party leans toward appointing an OBC leader to strengthen the party’s hold on that crucial vote bank.
In Madhya Pradesh, the BJP currently has an OBC Chief Minister and a Brahmin state president. This time, the leadership is exploring the possibility of appointing an Adivasi (tribal) leader as state president to enhance representation and outreach among tribal communities.
In Uttarakhand, sources indicate that a Brahmin leader is leading the race for the state unit chief post, though an official decision has not yet been made.
Meanwhile, attention is also focused on the race for the national president. Three prominent leaders are reportedly under consideration:
-
Dharmendra Pradhan, an OBC leader from Odisha and current Union Minister, is known for his strong organizational skills and close ties with the central leadership.
-
Shivraj Singh Chouhan, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and current Union Minister, is widely regarded as a mass leader with deep grassroots connections.
-
Manohar Lal Khattar, former Chief Minister of Haryana who recently joined the Union Cabinet, brings considerable administrative experience and is seen as a figure of continuity.
Party sources indicate that the final choice will take into account a combination of factors—organizational experience, regional representation, and social balance—to ensure broader acceptability across the party and electorate.
The current national president, JP Nadda, has been in office since January 2020. His term was extended to guide the party through the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. With that phase now completed, the leadership transition is under active consideration. It remains unclear whether Nadda will seek a second full term or whether the party will opt for a new face to lead it into the next phase.
A central election committee will soon be constituted to oversee the national election process, including nominations, verification, and voting if required.
Meanwhile, opposition parties including the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party are closely observing these internal developments. The BJP’s choice of president is expected to significantly influence its campaign strategy for upcoming state elections in 2026 and the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.