Amid the deadlock over the new party chief, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to appoint a woman as its next national president, sources told.
JP Nadda's term as BJP chief ended in January 2023, but the party extended his tenure until June 2024 to steer it through the Lok Sabha elections.
Senior party leaders have been holding extensive discussions, and several prominent women politicians are being considered for the top post with leaders like Nirmala Sitharaman, D Purandeswari, and Vanathi Srinivasan being top contenders.
Among the frontrunners is Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who recently held a high-level meeting with current BJP National President JP Nadda and General Secretary, BL Santhosh at the party headquarters. Her name is seen as a strong contender, with insiders pointing to her wide-ranging experience and leadership potential.
If appointed, Sitharaman’s elevation could help the BJP expand its footprint in southern India. Her leadership would also reflect the party's alignment with the proposed 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha, expected to be implemented after the next delimitation exercise. A senior leader in the government, Sitharaman has previously served as Defence Minister and has deep roots in the party organisation.
Another key name in the mix is D Purandeswari, the BJP’s former Andhra Pradesh state president. A multilingual leader, Purandeswari has had a distinguished career across political lines.
Purindeswari was also selected for the “Operation Sindoor” delegation, a multi-party delegation to the various countries.
Vanathi Srinivasan is also being considered for the post. A lawyer-turned-politician from Tamil Nadu, she currently represents Coimbatore South in the state assembly. Since joining the BJP in 1993, Vanathi has held a series of key roles, including State Secretary, General Secretary, and Vice President of Tamil Nadu.
In 2020, the party appointed her National President of the BJP Mahila Morcha, and in 2022 she became a member of the BJP’s Central Election Committee, notably the first Tamil woman in that position.
Sources reveal that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has endorsed the idea of appointing a woman to the party's top post, recognising both the symbolic and strategic advantages of female leadership.
Over recent election cycles, women voters have played a pivotal role in securing BJP victories, particularly in states like Maharashtra, Haryana, and Delhi.
If the BJP goes ahead with the move, it would mark the first time in its history that a woman has been appointed as the national..
Source: India Today
