As Nitin Nabin takes charge, a look at how BJP appoints its president: Unanimous choice, no elections
Since it was formed in 1980, the BJP has never seen a contest for the post of national president, despite provisions for one in its constitution.
Nitin Nabin is a former Bihar minister and a five-time MLA. With Nitin Nabin taking charge as the BJP’s national president on Tuesday, the ruling party has formally closed the chapter on J P Nadda’s extended tenure and brought itself back in line with its long-standing “one person, one post” principle.
Nadda’s induction into the Narendra Modi Cabinet after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections had already made the transition inevitable; Nabin’s elevation now signals the BJP’s intent to consolidate organisational control under a leader seen as closely aligned with the party’s central leadership. The party’s decision also underscores the leadership’s preference for continuity and decisiveness at the top.
How is the BJP president elected?
The process leading up to the election of the BJP president follows the party’s established organisational route. It begins with the launch of a membership drive, following which elections are first held to local committees, followed sequentially by mandal, district, regional and state committees.
At each level, the elected president nominates his team of office-bearers. Once organisational elections are completed in at least half the states, the election of the national president takes place, in keeping with long-established party practice. The newly elected national president then nominates his own team.
In a statement, the party’s National Returning Officer K Laxman said Monday, “BJP National President Election process was initiated after the election of 30 State Presidents out of 36 States, well above the required number of completing minimum 50% of the States.”
Have elections ever been held for the post?
As per precedent, Nabin’s elevation too was uncontested. Since its formation in 1980, the BJP has never witnessed a contest for the post of national president, despite provisions for one in the party’s constitution. Each time, only one candidate has filed nomination papers and has been elected unopposed.
Do Lok Sabha polls influence the choice?
The extent of influence exercised in the selection of the BJP president has historically depended on the party’s electoral strength. When the BJP was electorally weak — most notably after the 2009 Lok Sabha elections — the RSS played a more pronounced role in determining the party chief. This was evident when Union Minister Nitin Gadkari was brought from Maharashtra to Delhi to take over the party’s reins after the BJP’s tally fell to 116 seats.
In contrast, when the BJP is electorally dominant and in power at the Centre — as it has been for the past decade and more — the decision is driven largely by the Prime Minister and a small group of senior confidants. Nabin’s rise fits this pattern, reflecting a leadership-driven consensus rather than an organisational contest.
Unlike the Congress, which has occasionally seen presidential contests, most recently in 2022 between Mallikarjun Kharge and Shashi Tharoor, the BJP has remained firmly wedded to consensus-based leadership transitions. The only brief hint of a possible contest came in 2013, when Yashwant Sinha procured nomination papers but ultimately chose not to pursue the challenge.
The BJP’s constitution does provide for a formal electoral contest if more than one candidate remains in the fray after withdrawals. In such a scenario, polling would be held in all state capitals, with sealed ballot boxes brought to Delhi for counting. However, this provision has never been invoked.
How does the BJP zero in on candidates?
Nabin’s appointment was finalised by the party’s Parliamentary Board, which retains significant flexibility in such matters. The Board can meet formally or arrive at decisions through consultations, including telephonic discussions. In urgent situations, it can even appoint a full-time president directly, subject to ratification by the National Council within six months.
Under the BJP constitution, the national president is entitled to two consecutive terms of three years each — a provision introduced in 2012 when the RSS backed a second term for Gadkari, though the party eventually opted for Rajnath Singh, who led the BJP through its 2014 Lok Sabha victory before handing over charge to Amit Shah.
How does the party’s hierarchy look?
The organisational backbone underpinning this process rests on the BJP’s membership structure. Any Indian citizen above 18 can become a primary member by paying a prescribed subscription for six years. To qualify as an active member — a prerequisite for contesting organisational elections beyond the local level — one must complete three years as a primary member, pay a non-refundable fee of Rs 100, participate in party programmes, and subscribe to the party’s official publications.
The BJP’s committee structure begins with local committees of at least 25 members, each catering to a population of no more than 5,000. Above them are mandal, district, regional and state committees. Cities with populations exceeding five lakh are treated as districts, and those above 20 lakh may be divided into multiple districts by the state executive.
What is expected of BJP members?
All members must affirm their commitment to Deen Dayal Upadhyaya’s philosophy of integral humanism, nationalism, democracy, a Gandhian approach to socio-economic issues, positive secularism and value-based politics. They must also pledge allegiance to the idea of a secular state, a nation not defined by religion, and non-discrimination on the basis of caste, gender or faith — principles reiterated in the party’s membership form.
Share
