New Delhi: On 30th March, in the decisive meeting between Narendra Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in Nagpur, the next president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was nearly decided, with only the formal announcement remaining. Sources indicate that there is a general consensus that the new president will not be a person who had been widely rumored to occupy the position. The gathering clearly indicated that the leader who was to be selected for this all-important position would need to satisfy certain conditions—proximity to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and allegiance to the BJP leadership, without being a “third power center.”
In the debate that ensued on 30th March, it was clarified by the RSS that the new BJP president would be decided by them, a step which indicates the association’s growing role in the party’s internal affairs. This is an important development, particularly given that the BJP has always had a strong RSS link but has functioned independently in leadership.
It was emphasized that the person elected as president must not be regarded as a “Hindutvaist” personality. Rather, the president must have a “secular” image, which would keep the BJP and RSS in harmony with each other. This is significant because both the BJP and RSS are on the same page regarding the fact that the president must not become a center of power within the party or a counterforce to the policies of the existing government.
Additionally, the new president must be one who does not interfere or go against the policies of the government and is able to provide smooth coordination among the party, government, and the RSS. Thus, the right candidate would be one who is neutral, dependable, and is able to fill the gap between the BJP and RSS and at the same time maintain the party’s image.
On the basis of these criteria, three candidates have come forth as top contenders: Rajnath Singh, Dharmendra Pradhan, and Shivraj Singh Chauhan. Let us examine each of these leaders and what they bring to this pivotal position.
Rajnath Singh, the present Defence Minister of India, is a veteran leader of the BJP with decades of experience. He has twice held the post of BJP president and has been a key factor in the development of the party over the years. With his calm personality and diplomatic nature, Rajnath Singh has always been maintaining a middle course in political and ideological differences.
His leadership during the tough times, especially during the 2014 general elections, was crucial in BJP’s success. Singh’s capacity to bridge gaps among various factions in the party and his unwavering loyalty to the party as well as RSS make him a likely candidate for the presidency.
Dharmendra Pradhan, now a Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, is among the fastest-rising BJP stars. Appointed for his organizational skills as well as for political strategy, Pradhan has played an important role in making the BJP stronger in eastern Indian states, especially Odisha. His role in formulating the party’s election strategies across different states has made him admired by the seniormost leadership of the BJP.
Pradhan is also regarded as a middle path individual who can balance the political aspirations of the BJP and the ideological inclinations of the RSS. He is relatively an unbiased person with a sound equation among party workers and the RSS, and hence he can be a possible candidate for the BJP president.
Shivraj Singh Chauhan, the existing Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, is the other favorite candidate for the seat. Popular among his home-state people, Chauhan has taken the BJP to a series of victories in Madhya Pradesh. He is regarded as a good administrator with a solid grass-roots linkage and has taken part in big development projects within the state.
Chauhan’s political intelligence and crisis management skills have gained him much respect within the BJP as one of its top leaders. His popularity among the masses and being close to the RSS and the leadership of the BJP also position him well to become the president. His popularity might, however, also position him as a possible “third power center,” which the leadership is not keen on.
The BJP’s new president will be someone who can work effectively with the internal politics of the party, keep a neutral image, and sustain the RSS-BJP relationship. Out of the three leaders, Rajnath Singh, Dharmendra Pradhan, and Shivraj Singh Chauhan, each has his own sets of strengths. The ultimate decision will rest on their ability to work in line with the vision of the BJP and their capacity to strike the right balance of the party’s and RSS’s interests.
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