BJP likely to get woman president as RSS backs historic move

India Today

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to appoint a woman as its next national president, sources have told India Today. This move, backed by the RSS, would mark a historic first for the party. Women voters have played a pivotal role in securing BJP victories in recent state elections. Frontrunners include Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, former Andhra Pradesh BJP state president D. Purandeshwari, and Vanathi Srinivasan, who represents Coimbatore South in the state assembly. The decision is expected to be discussed during a three-day RSS huddle in the national capital. J.P. Nadda's term as BJP chief, which ended in January 2023, was extended until June 2024 for the Lok Sabha elections. The RSS has endorsed the idea of appointing a woman to the party's top post, recognizing both symbolic and strategic advantages of female leadership.

Transcript

00:00This is a story that's now gaining momentum in the country itself.

00:04All eyes on who will be the next BJP president.

00:09JP not does time as BJP chief ended in January 2023.

00:14But the party had extended his tenure until June 2024 to steer it through the looks of our elections.

00:20Now amid the deadlock over the new party chief,

00:23the Bharatya Janata Party is likely to appoint a woman as its next national president.

00:28Sources have told India Today.

00:30The move, backed by the RSS themselves, would in fact mark a historic first for the party.

00:36Over recent election cycles, women voters have indeed played a pivotal role in securing the BJP victories,

00:43particularly in the elections that have taken place in states like Maharashtra, Haryana and Delhi in the recent past.

00:50Among the frontrunners is Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman,

00:53who recently held a high-level meeting with the current BJP president, JP Nadda.

00:58Another key name in the mix is D. Purandeshwari, the BJP's former Andhra Pradesh state president,

01:04and Vanathi Srinivasan, who currently represents Coimbatore South in the state assembly.

01:10The move is also likely to be discussed during the three-day RSS huddle in the national capital.

01:16Now sources have revealed that the RSS has endorsed the idea already of appointing a woman to the party's top post,

01:22recognizing both the symbolic and the strategic advantages of female leadership.

01:29So this is the particular story that we are tracking at this given point.

01:33It is a big political story that we are keeping a track of as well,

01:36as to who shall be heading the BJP next.

01:40This is a big question, because remember, JP Nadda's term had been extended for the Lok Sabha polls,

01:47which took place in 2024.

01:50But now, the question is who shall be, in fact, succeeding him in this very post.

01:56And the suspense on who will be the next BJP national president has only been building up for months.

02:03The race has now picked up pace.

02:06The ruling party has announced 10 new state heads,

02:08and the RSS is set to hold a three-day Prant Pracharak meet in Delhi starting tomorrow,

02:14hinting at a possible consensus on the next BJP chief soon.

02:19Take a look at this report for more details on the story.

02:22The countdown is on, as to who the BJP will pick as the national president.

02:37While it's been a long wait, the BJP has been actively picking its state chiefs

02:42to set the stage for the national president to be chosen.

02:46And the focus is on the RSS, which has a big say on who will head the Bharatiya Janta Party.

02:54The RSS will kick off a three-day huddle tomorrow in the national capital,

02:59which will see RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in attendance.

03:04The RSS, when asked about the BJP chief's appointment, had this to say a few days ago.

03:09The RSS right now tight-lipped on their pick or choice,

03:32and for now claim there will be no discussion on this in the three-day meet.

03:39Look back in time and the RSS has always had a big say on who will become the BJP chief.

04:09J.P. Narda, too, rose through the ranks from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad,

04:16ABVP, the student wing of the RSS.

04:20Will the RSS's three-day meet give more clarity on who is the front-runner for the BJP's chief post?

04:28Bureau Report, India Today.

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