BJP Contemplates Dalit Leadership in Post-Nadda Era Amid Maharashtra, Haryana Electoral Tests

New Delhi: Following the formation of the Modi government for the third consecutive term, all eyes are now on the upcoming selection of the next Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president amidst crucial electoral battles in Maharashtra and Haryana. These states pose significant challenges for the party, given its incumbent status and recent underperformance in the Lok Sabha polls.

J P Nadda, now a key cabinet minister in the Modi government, has completed his tenure as party chief, triggering preparations for the election of his successor in the coming days.

The party leadership will decide on appointing a working president until a full-time chief is elected. Observers are keen to see if there will be a push for increased representation of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and women.

With several prominent figures, including long-standing party members, now part of the government, there is speculation that the new chief may emerge from grassroots ranks, if a report published in The Times of India is something to go by, possibly a woman, a Dalit or an OBC, with a strong background of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS — the ideological mentor of the saffron party).

The process has gained added complexity due to speculation that the RSS, a perennially influential stakeholder, might take a stance in light of its perceived distancing from the party.

Significantly, the departing chief's statement suggesting that the BJP could thrive independently of RSS support is reported to have irked the leadership of the Sangh.

Despite his transition to government roles, Nadda, whose initial three-year term ended in January and was extended by six months due to the Lok Sabha elections, will remain as party president until his successor is elected. While there is no restriction on holding simultaneous positions in the organization and government, the convention has been to adhere to the one person-one post policy.

According to the party's constitution, the national chief is elected by an electoral college comprising members from national and state councils. A proposal for candidacy requires backing from at least 20 members of the electoral college from a state, and the candidate must have been an active member for four terms with a 15-year membership. Moreover, joint proposals must come from at least five states where elections for the national council have concluded.

There is speculation about the possibility of appointing a woman as the chief, reflecting the BJP's recent emphasis on women. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has acknowledged the pivotal role of women voters in his successive electoral victories, yet the party has never had a female president thus far.

The BJP is strategizing a broad outreach initiative aimed at boosting the representation of women within the organization. This effort underscores why many view the possibility of the next party chief being a woman as plausible.

Under the Women’s Reservation Act, 33% of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies will be reserved for women, expected to be implemented by the next Lok Sabha elections in 2029. Consequently, the party will need to cultivate a robust pool of potential candidates to meet this requirement.