BJP likely to appoint new national president by mid-March, women leaders among frontrunners
New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to announce its new national president by mid-March, likely on the 15th or 16th, after the completion of organisational elections in 13 states. Party sources indicate that the selection process for JP Nadda’s successor is being guided by internal consensus.
A senior BJP functionary hinted that the party is considering appointing a woman to the position, preferably from South India, to strengthen its presence in the region. Andhra Pradesh BJP chief Daggubati Purandeshwari and BJP Mahila Morcha national president Vanathi Srinivasan are emerging as key contenders if the party decides to choose a woman leader.
Purandeshwari, 66, who joined the BJP in 2014 after leaving the Congress, is seen as an experienced organisational leader. She currently heads the Andhra Pradesh BJP and is known for her strong oratory skills, earning her the title of ‘Sushma Swaraj of the South.’
Vanathi Srinivasan, an MLA from Coimbatore and the national president of BJP Mahila Morcha, has led multiple outreach initiatives and is regarded as a trusted leader within the party. She recently hosted Union Home Minister Amit Shah at events in Tamil Nadu.
The BJP is also considering other factors, including regional representation, caste dynamics, and upcoming elections in states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and Gujarat. The party’s ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), is reportedly involved in the selection process, though the final decision will be made through consensus.
A senior party leader suggested that the new president is likely to be between 50 and 70 years old, which could rule out Haryana’s former chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who is 71. Among other potential candidates are Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan (55), BJP general secretary Bhupender Yadav (55), and senior leader Vinod Tawde (61), should the party opt for a male candidate.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
