focusing now on appointing its national president following recent appointments of party chiefs in six states and Union territories. Although JP Nadda’s term as national president was extended until 2024 to guide the party through the Lok Sabha elections, speculation remains about his successor. Sources have indicated that the BJP may appoint its first-ever woman president, signaling a historic shift in the party’s leadership.
Among the frontrunners is Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, a prominent and influential figure within the party since 2019. Her Tamil Nadu roots could bolster the BJP’s expansion efforts in southern India. Another potential candidate is D Purandeswari, former BJP Andhra Pradesh unit chief, and a member of the government’s Operation Sindoor delegation representing India’s anti-terrorism stance internationally. Vanathi Srinivasan, BJP Mahila Morcha National President and a longstanding party member, is also considered a strong contender, particularly after her 2021 electoral victory in Tamil Nadu.
The BJP’s growing appeal among women voters and its recent support for the women’s reservation bill, which proposes 33 percent reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies, may be motivating the party to choose a woman as its national president. Such an appointment would reinforce the BJP’s commitment to gender representation, aligning with its legislative push and sending a clear message about the party’s progressive stance on women’s leadership.
