**BJP-RSS Deadlock Over New President Persists Amidst Key Elections**
The ongoing deadlock between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) regarding the selection of a new national president remains unresolved, months after the term of current chief JP Nadda technically expired. Nadda’s tenure, which officially ended in January 2023, was extended until June 2024 to guide the party through the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Insiders within the BJP have indicated that the leadership could have signaled a clear direction by appointing a working president in June, similar to the move made in 2019 when Amit Shah was still at the helm and Nadda was appointed as working president prior to his formal elevation in January 2020.
According to sources within the RSS, they have already conveyed their preferences to the BJP’s top leadership. The RSS has outlined specific criteria for the next president, emphasizing the need for a leader who is organizationally robust, rather than one focused on political messaging. Additionally, the RSS is advocating for organizational changes to coincide with a governmental overhaul.
A significant RSS meeting, the Akhil Bharatiya Prant Pracharak Baithak, is scheduled to take place in Delhi from July 4 to 6, featuring RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, and all six joint general secretaries. It is anticipated that discussions between BJP leaders and RSS officials may occur during this meeting, potentially leading to the finalization of the next party chief.
Senior BJP leaders have suggested that the new president is likely to implement a substantial reshuffle within the party, with nearly half of the current national general secretaries possibly being replaced to introduce younger talent into key organizational roles. Furthermore, the BJP’s parliamentary board, the party’s highest decision-making body, may see the addition of influential leaders to strengthen the organization ahead of crucial state elections.
Despite these developments, a consensus on the presidential candidate between the BJP leadership and the RSS has yet to be reached. The party’s constitution mandates that elections must be conducted in at least 19 states before a national president can be officially elected, and so far, only 14 state units have completed this process.
Recently, the BJP announced election officers for the remaining state unit polls, appointing Kiren Rijiju for Maharashtra, Harsh Malhotra for Uttarakhand, and Ravi Shankar Prasad for West Bengal. The party aims to finalize state-level appointments, particularly in key states such as Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and West Bengal, to establish a sense of internal consensus prior to determining the national leadership.
In Uttar Pradesh, the selection process has been complicated by caste dynamics, with discussions reportedly taking place between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath regarding potential candidates. Suggestions for Dalit and OBC representatives have been sought, but the ultimate decision will rest with Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
**FAQ**
**What is causing the deadlock in the BJP’s leadership selection?**
The deadlock stems from disagreements between the BJP leadership and the RSS regarding the criteria and candidate for the new national president, with both parties yet to reach a consensus.