Amid deadlock over new chief, BJP may get first woman president

Amid the impasse regarding the new party leader, sources informed India Today that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to select a woman as its next national president. JP Nadda’s leadership as BJP president concluded in January 2023, but the party has prolonged his term until June 2024 to guide it during the Lok Sabha elections.

Senior party officials have been engaging in thorough discussions, and multiple notable female politicians are under consideration for the leading position, with figures such as Nirmala Sitharaman, D Purandeswari, and Vanathi Srinivasan being key candidates. Among the leading candidates is Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who recently conducted a significant meeting with current BJP National President JP Nadda and General Secretary BL Santhosh at the party’s headquarters. Her name is regarded as a leading candidate, as insiders highlight her extensive experience and leadership abilities.

If selected, Sitharaman’s rise could assist the BJP in broadening its presence in southern India. Her leadership would further signify the party’s support for the suggested 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha, anticipated to be enacted following the upcoming delimitation process. Sitharaman, a high-ranking government official, has formerly held the position of Defence Minister and has strong ties to the party structure.

Another important figure in the lineup is D Purandeswari, the former president of the BJP in Andhra Pradesh. A multilingual leader, Purandeswari has enjoyed a notable career across political boundaries. Purandeswari was chosen for the “Operation Sindoor” delegation, a bipartisan group visiting several nations. Vanathi Srinivasan is also under consideration for the position. A politician who was previously a lawyer from Tamil Nadu, she now serves as the representative for Coimbatore South in the state assembly. Since becoming a member of the BJP in 1993, Vanathi has occupied several important positions, such as State Secretary, General Secretary, and Vice President of Tamil Nadu.

In 2020, she was designated National President of the BJP Mahila Morcha by the party, and in 2022, she joined the BJP’s Central Election Committee, notably being the first Tamil woman to hold that role. Reports indicate that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has supported the concept of appointing a woman to the party’s highest position, acknowledging the symbolic and strategic benefits of female leadership.

In recent election cycles, female voters have been crucial in achieving BJP wins, especially in states such as Maharashtra, Haryana, and Delhi. Should the BJP proceed with the decision, it would signify the first instance in its history that a woman has been designated as the national.