BJP's First Woman National President? Here Are The Contenders
BJP Eyes First Woman National President with Sitharaman, Purandeswari in Lead
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is poised to make history by potentially appointing its first woman national president to succeed Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, whose term ended in January 2023.
Sources cited by Live Hindustan name Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, former Andhra Pradesh BJP chief D. Purandeswari, and Tamil Nadu MLA Vanathi Srinivasan as frontrunners. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) reportedly supports a woman taking the role, aligning with the party’s focus on women voters.
The BJP, having appointed new state chiefs in 24 states, is set to finalize Nadda’s successor soon, possibly after an ongoing RSS meeting in Delhi. Women, constituting 49% of India’s population, have been pivotal to the BJP’s rise, bolstered by schemes like Ujjwala and the Women’s Reservation Bill. A woman president could strengthen the party’s appeal, especially in southern states and ahead of 2026 elections in Bihar and West Bengal.
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Frontrunners:
Nirmala Sitharaman: Finance Minister since 2019, her Tamil Nadu roots and recent meetings with Nadda fuel speculation, though her critical cabinet role raises questions.
D. Purandeswari: Former Andhra Pradesh BJP chief, her diplomatic experience and cross-party background make her a contender, despite lacking RSS roots.
Vanathi Srinivasan: Tamil Nadu MLA and ex-Mahila Morcha head, her 2021 win over Kamal Haasan and RSS alignment are strengths, though some cite her limited national presence.
The RSS’s influence is key, prioritizing ideological alignment. However, posts on X highlight concerns, including Sitharaman’s indispensability and Purandeswari’s Congress past. Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya is also a late contender. The decision, expected soon, could redefine the BJP’s image, blending gender inclusivity with strategic electoral outreach.
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