The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to appoint a woman as its next national president, according to sources. Discussions are ongoing among senior party leaders, and several prominent women politicians are being considered for the top post.

The move comes as JP Nadda’s term as BJP president ended in January 2023 but was extended till June 2024 to guide the party through the Lok Sabha elections. Now, with that extension over, the BJP is working to choose a new leader—and this time, a woman could be given the role for the first time in the party’s history.

Nirmala Sitharaman seen as strong contender

One of the top names being considered is Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who recently held a meeting with JP Nadda and BJP General Secretary BL Santhosh at the party headquarters. Insiders say her name is being strongly considered due to her "wide-ranging experience and leadership potential."

Sitharaman has previously served as defence minister and is currently one of the most senior leaders in the Modi government. If selected, her leadership could help the BJP grow in southern India, where the party has been working to gain more support.

The move would also align with the BJP’s support for 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha, which is expected to be implemented after the next delimitation exercise.

D Purandeswari and Vanathi Srinivasan also in the race

Another strong candidate is D. Purandeswari, former Andhra Pradesh BJP president. She is multilingual and has worked across political lines in her career. She was also part of “Operation Sindoor,” a multi-party foreign delegation that represented India internationally.

Vanathi Srinivasan, a lawyer-turned-politician from Tamil Nadu, is also being considered. She represents Coimbatore South in the Tamil Nadu assembly and joined the BJP in 1993. Over the years, she has held key roles, including state secretary, general secretary, and vice president of BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit.

In 2020, she was appointed National President of BJP Mahila Morcha. In 2022, she became a member of the BJP’s Central Election Committee, becoming the first Tamil woman in that position.

RSS supports woman president idea

According to sources, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)—the ideological parent of the BJP—has supported the idea of giving a woman the party’s top role. They see both symbolic and strategic benefits in this decision.

In recent elections, women voters have been very important for BJP’s victories, especially in states like Maharashtra, Delhi, and Haryana.

If the BJP goes ahead with this plan, it will be a historic moment, as it will be the first time a woman will lead the party as national president.

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