NDC DESK
BJP Poised to Appoint First Woman National President Amid Leadership Stalemate
In a potentially historic move, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to appoint a woman as its next national president, with senior leaders Nirmala Sitharaman, D Purandeswari, and Vanathi Srinivasan emerging as frontrunners. The move has received backing from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), signalling a strategic shift toward promoting female leadership within the party.
Leadership Vacuum and Strategic Calculations
With JP Nadda’s extended term as BJP national president having ended in June 2024, discussions have intensified within party ranks to finalise his successor. The decision, party insiders say, is being shaped by a combination of political pragmatism, electoral strategy, and ideological alignment.
According to senior BJP sources, the RSS has thrown its weight behind the idea of appointing a woman to the top post — a first in the party’s history — citing both symbolic resonance and electoral appeal, particularly among the growing bloc of women voters who have been instrumental in recent BJP victories across states like Maharashtra, Delhi, and Haryana.
Nirmala Sitharaman: A Leading Contender
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is widely seen as a leading candidate for the position. Known for her administrative acumen and deep organisational roots, she recently held a high-level meeting with current BJP chief JP Nadda and party General Secretary BL Santhosh at BJP headquarters ,a sign, observers note, of her prominent standing in succession talks.
Sitharaman’s appointment could also bolster the BJP’s outreach in southern India and align with the anticipated implementation of the 33% women’s s reservation in the Lok Sabha post-delimitation. Having previously served as Defence Minister and currently steering the Finance Ministry, her elevation would underscore the party’s emphasis on experience and continuity.
D Purandeswari: Multilingual and Seasoned
D Purandeswari, former Andhra Pradesh BJP president, is another strong contender. A multilingual leader with a cross-party background, Purandeswari has served in various capacities both in the BJP and earlier during her tenure with the Congress. Her selection for ‘Operation Sindoor’,a multi-party delegation initiative, has further raised her profile on the national stage.
Vanathi Srinivasan: Rising Southern Voice
Vanathi Srinivasan, currently the MLA from Coimbatore South, is also being considered for the role. A seasoned leader from Tamil Nadu, Srinivasan has steadily risen through the BJP ranks since 1993, holding various organisational positions including state general secretary and national president of the BJP Mahila Morcha.
In 2022, she made history as the first Tamil woman to be inducted into the BJP’s Central Election Committee , a testament to her growing influence within the party.
Historic First on the Horizon
If the BJP proceeds with this decision, it will mark the first time in the party’s history that a woman has been appointed as national president. The move could send a powerful message on gender inclusivity while also recalibrating the party’s appeal among women voters ahead of upcoming state elections and the next phase of parliamentary boundary restructuring.
