Modi's "Anurag" will change the political equations of Himachal BJP

The Himachal BJP is about to gain greater prominence in Delhi.

- DR. RACHNA GUPTA

Anurag Thakur, a prominent leader from the state, is set to be appointed as National General Secretary in the central Bharatiya Janata Party. A new national president of the BJP will also be announced soon. Under Modi’s new organizational team, two young faces are likely to be included — one, the dynamic Anurag Thakur from Himachal, and the other, Annamalai from Tamil Nadu.

With Anurag being given the significant position of General Secretary, it is clear his role in the organization will become more important — much like JP Nadda’s rise when he returned to Delhi from Himachal a few years ago. Nadda had resigned as a minister from Himachal when Prem Kumar Dhumal, Anurag’s father, was the Chief Minister. From there, JP Nadda progressed from Union Minister to National President.

Anurag Thakur’s importance was being underestimated when he was not given a ministerial berth in the current Modi cabinet. There was even talk of Anurag potentially taking charge of Himachal Pradesh in the future. Meanwhile, during Jairam Thakur’s tenure as Leader of the Opposition, Anurag’s role in the state became almost negligible.