REVAMP TENSIONS

THE OVERHAUL OF THE BJP ORGANISATION HAS THE IMPRINT OF THE RSS ALL OVER IT. BUT IN SEVEN KEY STATES, THERE IS STILL LACK OF AGREEMENT

- By ANILESH S. MAHAJAN

It HAS BEEN A YEAR OF CHURN, CONSOLIDATION and reorientation for the ruling BJP. Though the party secured a third term in 2024, it is now more dependent on allies than ever before. An NDA government led by Narendra Modi is in power and, on the surface, normal service has resumed- the Lok Sabha reverses papered over by the stunning election wins in three states. But inside the party's powerful organisational machinery, an unusual silence prevailed-until matters were stirred up by the Rashtriya Swayamse-vak Sangh (RSS), the BJP's 'ideological parent'. This churn is now manifesting as the party prepares to elect a new national president. The RSS's imprint sunmistakable, and sources say a shared understanding has evolved within the BJP and the Sangh's vast apparatus now: ideological loyalty and cadre discipline must take precedence over personal ambition.

Organisational elections, launched in December 2024, have concluded in 28 of the BJP's 36 state units and, technically, it can get a move on in electing a new party chief to replace J.P. Nadda (the party constitution dictates that at least 19 states must conclude their polls to make the requisite quorum of electors). But no date has been announced for that much-deferred election, and no consensus has emerged around a candidate for the top job. Also, six key state units— Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Delhi and Haryana—have yet to get elected presidents. Of the other two, Punjab has been assigned a working president, while the process is in a limbo in strife-hit Manipur.