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Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt currently heads the Uttarakhand BJP and was seen as a top contender for a second term, but shifting dynamics have brought new names into play
The BJP has also appointed state election officers for Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal. (Representative/News18 Hindi)
The Uttarakhand BJP is expected to appoint a new state president by July 1, triggering a flurry of internal discussions and speculation. While more than three names are under active consideration, sources suggest there is still a possibility that the incumbent may retain the post.
The central BJP has announced the election programme, appointing Union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra as the election observer.
At present, the state organisation is led by Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt, who was earlier considered the strongest contender for a second term. However, with changing dynamics, other names are now being discussed as possible alternatives, party insiders said. Bhatt’s tenure as state president has concluded, prompting the need for new leadership, they added.
The BJP has also appointed state election officers for Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal. The party announced that these officers will immediately oversee the election of state presidents and national council members in these regions.
According to The Economic Times, the decision to appoint new BJP chiefs in these states comes in the backdrop of preparations for the party’s national presidential election, which will see a successor to JP Nadda.
Nadda, who has been serving as the BJP’s national president since early 2020, received a term extension to ensure an orderly transition. As per the party’s constitution, the national president can only be elected once elections are completed in more than half of the state units.
The Economic Times report stated that the BJP has appointed state presidents in just 14 of India’s 36 states and Union Territories, with key positions still vacant in politically significant states like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana.
The timeline for electing a new national president has remained uncertain, with several speculative dates making the rounds, though no formal announcement has been made. Political observers believe the BJP is taking its time to carefully select a new national leader, especially with several crucial state elections lined up later this year and early next year.
According to the party’s constitution, the term of a national president typically lasts three years.
- Location :
Dehradun, India, India
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