From Sitharaman to Vanathi: BJP’s search for new chief may end with woman at the helm

Although JP Nadda’s term officially ended in January 2023, the BJP extended his leadership until June 2024 to guide the party through the general elections.

With the Lok Sabha polls now behind, discussions have intensified within the party’s top ranks on his successor.

Among the leading names under consideration is Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who recently held a closed-door meeting with JP Nadda and BJP General Secretary BL Santhosh at the party’s central office, according to the report.

Known for her administrative experience and organisational depth, Sitharaman is seen as a strong favourite.

Her appointment could also boost the BJP’s reach in southern India and align symbolically with the proposed 33% women’s reservation in the Lok Sabha, which is expected to take effect after delimitation.

Sitharaman, who has also served as Defence Minister, holds a long-standing connection with the party and is widely regarded for her policy acumen and clarity.

Also in the reckoning is D Purandeswari, the BJP’s former Andhra Pradesh unit chief, according to the India Today report.

Known for her multilingual skills and cross-party experience, Purandeswari was a member of the “Operation Sindoor” delegation, a multi-party outreach initiative to foreign countries.

Another strong contender is Vanathi Srinivasan, currently an MLA from Coimbatore South and a prominent face in Tamil Nadu politics, the report said.

Since joining the BJP in 1993, she has risen steadily through the ranks—serving in various leadership roles at the state level.

In 2020, she was appointed national president of the BJP Mahila Morcha, and in 2022, she made history by becoming the first Tamil woman in the BJP’s Central Election Committee.

Sources say the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has backed the idea of a woman leading the party, recognising the strategic value such a move holds. Over recent election cycles, women voters have significantly contributed to the BJP’s victories in key states, including Delhi, Maharashtra, and Haryana.

If the party proceeds with the decision, it would be the first time a woman is named BJP’s national president—a historic shift in its leadership structure.