National News: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has taken a major step toward strengthening its organizational structure by appointing new state presidents in nine states. The most recent among them is Hemant Kumar Khandelwal, who has been made the new state president of Madhya Pradesh. With these appointments, the BJP aims to balance regional leadership while also preparing for the upcoming election of the national president.
National Presidential Election May Be Delayed
The BJP began its internal organizational elections last year, and so far, it has completed the appointment of state presidents in 28 states and union territories. However, as per party rules, appointments in at least 19 states are necessary to proceed with the election of the national president. Sources suggest that the final decision may be postponed until elections in politically crucial states such as Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Delhi, and Haryana are concluded.
BJP Eyes Vaishya Community Support in Madhya Pradesh
Hemant Kumar Khandelwal has been named the new president of the Madhya Pradesh BJP. He has previously served as a two-time MLA from Betul and has also been an MP. His father was also a parliamentarian from the same constituency. Khandelwal is considered a close aide of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and holds a significant position within the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). His appointment is seen as a strategic move to gain support from the Vaishya community in the state.
Ravindra Chavan Gets Command in Maharashtra
In Maharashtra, Ravindra Chavan has been appointed as the new state BJP president. He is a four-time MLA from Dombivli and has held key portfolios such as Public Works, Food and Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs in the state cabinet. Chavan is known to be close to Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, which reflects the party's focus on rewarding loyalty and experience within the organization.
No Change in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh
The BJP has reappointed Mahendra Bhatt as the state president of Uttarakhand. Bhatt, a two-time MLA, began his political journey with the ABVP. The party has continued its strategic balancing by pairing a Thakur Chief Minister with a Brahmin state president, maintaining caste equilibrium in the state’s leadership.
Similarly, in Himachal Pradesh, Rajeev Bindal has been named state president for the third consecutive term. A five-time MLA and a medical doctor by profession, Bindal served as Health Minister in the BJP government in 2007. He is considered close to BJP national president JP Nadda.
New Presidents in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
In Andhra Pradesh, the BJP has appointed PVN Madhav as its new state president. He belongs to the backward classes and has been associated with both the BJYM and the RSS. His father, PV Chalapati Rao, served as the state president of the BJP when Andhra Pradesh was undivided.
In Telangana, N. Ramchander Rao has been named the new BJP president. His appointment, despite the presence of senior leaders like Etala Rajender and Arvind Dharmapuri, is viewed as part of the BJP’s internal strategic planning. However, the decision triggered dissent, leading MLA Raja Singh to announce his departure from the party, creating a stir within the state unit.
BJP Gears Up Organizationally for Upcoming Elections
These appointments make it evident that the BJP is intensifying its organizational preparedness ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha and upcoming assembly elections. The selection of leaders from diverse caste, regional, and ideological backgrounds also indicates the party's emphasis on internal coordination and political balance. In the coming months, these newly appointed presidents are expected to play a crucial role in shaping electoral strategies and grassroots mobilization.
