Madhya Pradesh: Race for state BJP president intensifies as selection process nears completion

Possibility of prioritising seniority or fresh face; Narottam, Bhupendra, Arvind, Khandelwal, and Kulaste emerge as front-runners

- SATYAPRAKASH SHARMA

As the BJP gears up to announce its new chief for Madhya Pradesh, the race has intensified with several prominent leaders emerging as potential contenders. The selection process, expected to conclude around January 15, has sparked significant interest and speculation within the party ranks.

According to sources, the party leadership is mulling over whether to prioritise seniority and experience to offer stability and continuity or bring a new face to make innovation and appeal to the younger cadre.

However, the final decision on the state's top party post will be made by the central leadership, based on advice from its ideological outfit, the RSS. MP Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's preference may also be considered to improve coordination between the government and the organization, according to a party insider.

The top contenders for the position include former ministers Dr Narottam Mishra, Bhupendra Singh, Arvind Singh Bhadouria, and Faggan Singh Kulaste. Names of Hemant Khandelwal, ex-minister Brijendra Pratap Singh, and Lal Singh Arya, currently the convenor of the SC Morcha, are also circulating in political circles.