For JP Nadda, Big Shoes To Fill

By Ramakant Chaudhary

Beleaguered with its turbulent electoral pitch queered by the united Opposition in state assembly polls, BJP has elevated Jagat Prakash Nadda to become party president ahead of string of state elections. A steep rise from the rank of RSS student wing to the 11th president of BJP, world’s largest party, JP Nadda has had formidable political stature becoming a trusted confidant of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah as well as enjoying big clout with Sangh Pariwar. Expected to consolidate BJP’s rapid gains under his predecessor Amit Shah, JP Nadda has to face immediate challenge of 8 February Delhi assembly elections, followed by year-end high voltage Bihar polls.

For JP Nadda, Big Shoes To Fill:

Under the presidency of Amit Shah, BJP boosted its saffron footprints across length and breadth of India. The electoral dynamics of Shah put BJP and Modi charisma on expansion, steamrolling opponents from all political hues (from Parliament to state assembly). JP Nadda has to first keep intact all achievements of BJP bagged during the Shah regime.

JP Nadda will have to rejig BJP’s electoral strategies as the saffron party has lost elections in five states (Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh, Jharkhand and Maharashtra) in the last two years. In his five-year span as party chief that will continue till January 2023, JP Nadda is expected to create an electoral juggernaut to fend off opponents in polls in 18 states and President-Vice President elections.

JP Nadda could headbutt with alliance troubles as many BJP partners are not comfortable with aggressive approach of the party. He will manage to iron out political wrinkles created by CAA-NRC controversies.

Nadda, Present Perfect For BJP:

JP Nadda is known as quintessential organization man. He has excellent co-ordination skill that will help BJP sail through troubled water inside and outside the party fold. The social engineering quality of JP Nadda will enable BJP to widen its base through different strata of scoiety. From Himachali to Bihari connection, JP Nadda is much familiar with the matrix of Hindi heartland that sends considerable numbers of representatives to the Parliament. BJP picked JP Nadda, a Brahmin leader, which is seen as an assurance to its core vote bank that BJP is not diverging away from its traditional upper-caste characteristics.

The new party boss fits the BJP’s idea of socially-inclusive representation: appointments of Ram Nath Kovind (Dalit President), Venkaiah Naidu (OBC Vice President), Narendra Modi (Backward Class Prime Minister) and JP Nadda (Brahmin BJP president).

JP Nadda took over the reins of BJP as the working president soon after Uninion Home Minister Amit Shah relinquished his position in June 2019 following the party doctrine “one person, one post”. Now time will say; if JP Nadda will have a free hand or Amit Shah will overshadow him as de facto president.

(The writer is Sr Journalist and Political Commentator.)