BJP HUNTS FOR AN ASSERTIVE NEW CHIEF

IN ATURE abhors a vacuum and vacuum abhors a limbo.

- PRABHU CHAWLA

After the BJP didn't come anywhere near the 400 mark or get a majority in May 2024, the job of the party president is in limbo. Though his term expired in June, JP Nadda continues in the catbird seat since the leadership is unable to agree on his replacement. Nadda is not just the interim party boss but is also a Union minister.

Now that the TINA factor seems to apply to him, the party will have to quickly resolve the issue to offset the fragility of indecision in public perception.

The world's biggest party, with myriad lawmakers and chief ministers, is beset with a talent famine. The halcyon days in power have indeed created a phalanx of successful administrators.

When the BJP was in the opposition, there were four Vajpayees for one Atal or one Advani to fill their shoes as party chief. As the process for choosing its 12th president is underway, the ink hasn't dried on many names.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan: A leader who began his social service as an RSS swayamsevak at the age of 13 in 1972, Chouhan, now 65, appears to be the frontrunner. He has age, caste, credibility, experience and acceptability on his side. A three-time chief minister, he is an RSS darling and the least hated by the opposition. Affectionately called Mama in MP, he is a people's man and easily accessible. His innovative welfare and developmental schemes made the BJP almost invincible in the state. Hindutva has been the core principle of his governance. Both Vajpayee and Advani had identified him as a future leader and made him CM in 2005, and a member of the parliamentary board. Author of profarmer prosperity measures, he enjoys huge rural support. But his independent persona could be his liability.