The Bharatiya Janata Party in Jharkhand is poised to appoint a new state president on January 14, with party sources indicating a strong likelihood of unanimous election through consensus rather than a contested vote. The leadership appears inclined towards selecting a candidate who can strengthen organisational unity ahead of future electoral battles in the state.
Executive President Aditya Sahu has emerged as the frontrunner for the position. Sources within the party suggest that elevating Sahu, who began his political journey as an ordinary district-level worker and later rose to become a Rajya Sabha member, would send a powerful message that dedication and hard work can lead any party activist to the highest organisational ranks. His extensive experience, effective working style, and widespread support base across Jharkhand have reportedly earned him the confidence of the central leadership for a full-time leadership role.
Other prominent names in contention include former Chief Minister Raghubar Das, who recently stepped down from the Governor’s post, tribal leader and former Chief Minister Arjun Munda, and senior leader Pradeep Verma. While Sahu and Das belong to the OBC community, Munda represents tribal interests, reflecting the party’s consideration of social balance in its decision-making process.
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The election process, overseen by Union Minister and newly appointed State Election Officer Jual Oram, who is scheduled to arrive in Ranchi on Monday, follows a detailed schedule released by State General Secretary and MP Dr Pradeep Verma. Nominations will be filed at the BJP state office in Ranchi on January 13 between 12 noon and 2 pm, with scrutiny completed by 3 pm and withdrawals allowed until 5 pm. The final declaration of the new state president and national council members is set for January 14 at 2 pm at Carnival Hall on Harmu Road.
Dr Pradeep Verma emphasised that the organisational election process in Jharkhand has been underway for the past year, encompassing primary and active membership drives, booth-level elections, mandal and district president selections, and now culminating in the state-level leadership vote. He confirmed that an actual poll will only occur if multiple valid nominations are received, though indications point towards a smooth, consensus-driven transition to new leadership.
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