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17 Jan 2026·Source: The Hindu
3 min
Polity & GovernanceNEWS

BJP to Elect New Party Chief; Nitin Nabin Likely

BJP announces schedule to elect new party chief; Nitin Nabin favored.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced the schedule to elect a new party chief, with Nitin Nabin likely to be the successor. Nominations will be led on January 19, and the announcement will be made the next day. The election process will occur at the party headquarters in Delhi. Sources indicate that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Home Minister Amit Shah will propose Mr. Nabin's nomination. Mr. Nabin will succeed Health Minister J.P. Nadda, whose term was extended to ensure continuity during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The election process began in 2023 with units electing their presidents, and a minimum of 50% of State units had to be constituted for the national president election.

Key Facts

1.

New BJP chief: Nitin Nabin likely

2.

Nomination date: January 19

3.

Announcement: January 20

UPSC Exam Angles

1.

GS Paper II: Polity and Governance - Political Parties

2.

GS Paper I: Modern Indian History - Socio-religious reform movements and their impact

3.

Potential question types: Analyzing the evolution of political ideologies, assessing the impact of political parties on governance

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More Information

Background

The BJP's origins can be traced back to the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), founded in 1951 by Syama Prasad Mookerjee. The BJS was closely associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist organization. After the Emergency in 1977, the BJS merged with other parties to form the Janata Party, which won the general election that year.

However, the Janata Party government collapsed in 1979, and the BJS faction split to form the BJP in 1980. The BJP initially struggled to gain widespread support, but it gradually gained momentum in the 1980s and 1990s, particularly with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. The party's ideology is rooted in Hindutva, a form of Hindu nationalism, which emphasizes the importance of Hindu culture and values in Indian society.

Key figures in the BJP's early development include Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L.K. Advani.

Latest Developments

In recent years, the BJP has consolidated its position as the dominant political force in India. The party's electoral success has been attributed to a combination of factors, including strong leadership, effective campaigning, and a focus on issues such as economic development, national security, and Hindu nationalism. The BJP's government, led by Narendra Modi, has implemented a number of significant policies, including the Goods and Services Tax (GST), demonetization, and the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

The party has also faced criticism for its handling of issues such as unemployment, inflation, and social polarization. Looking ahead, the BJP is likely to continue to play a central role in Indian politics. The party's ability to address the challenges facing the country and maintain its broad base of support will be crucial to its future success.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the election of the National President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): 1. The election process can commence even if less than 50% of the State units have been constituted. 2. The outgoing National President proposes the name of the successor. 3. The election process occurs at the Election Commission of India headquarters. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  • A.1 and 2 only
  • B.2 and 3 only
  • C.1 and 3 only
  • D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer

Answer: D

Statement 1 is incorrect because a minimum of 50% of State units must be constituted for the national president election. Statement 2 is incorrect because the nomination is proposed by senior leaders like the Prime Minister, Defence Minister, and Home Minister. Statement 3 is incorrect because the election process occurs at the party headquarters in Delhi.

2. Which of the following statements accurately describes the historical context of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), the precursor to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)?

  • A.It was founded in the aftermath of the Quit India Movement to promote socialist ideals.
  • B.It was established in 1951 by Syama Prasad Mookerjee as a response to the Nehru-Liaquat Pact and focused on Hindu nationalist ideology.
  • C.It emerged as a faction within the Indian National Congress advocating for complete independence.
  • D.It was formed in the 1970s as a coalition of regional parties opposing Indira Gandhi's government.
Show Answer

Answer: B

The Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS) was founded in 1951 by Syama Prasad Mookerjee in response to the Nehru-Liaquat Pact. It was closely associated with Hindu nationalist ideology and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

3. Assertion (A): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has increasingly emphasized cultural nationalism in its political discourse. Reason (R): Cultural nationalism provides a unifying platform and resonates with a significant portion of the Indian electorate. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?

  • A.Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
  • B.Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
  • C.A is true, but R is false.
  • D.A is false, but R is true.
Show Answer

Answer: A

Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason correctly explains why the BJP emphasizes cultural nationalism. It serves as a unifying platform and appeals to a significant portion of the electorate.

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