From RSS Yardstick to Modi–Shah Approval: The Politics Behind Nitin Nabin’s Rise in BJP

Bihar: BJP has taken a big organizational decision by making Nitin Nabin, a minister in the NDA government of Bihar, the national working president of the party. At present, he has been given the responsibility of the party in place of JP Nadda. This appointment did not happen suddenly, but both the thinking of the Sangh and the strategy of the current top leadership behind it are clearly visible. The final seal of approval was given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.

Clear sign of generational change

Nitin Nabin's selection is being seen as a sign of generational change in BJP. He comes from the Kayastha community, but his identity is not limited to any one caste. This is the reason why they have acceptance in different states and different sections of the society, which is considered important for a national party.

BJP has done such experiments before also. When Delhi politics was dominated by stalwarts like Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj, Venkaiah Naidu, and Ananth Kumar, the Sangh made Nitin Gadkari the national president to give a new direction to the organization. Now a glimpse of the same thinking is visible in the selection of Nitin Nabin.

A face connected to the ground, away from the corridors of Delhi

Nitin Nabin may have worked at the national level in Chhattisgarh, Sikkim, and BJP Yuva Morcha, but his political workplace has been Bihar only. He was not a part of the corridors of power and organization of Delhi for long. Despite this, him getting the top organizational responsibility shows that the party no longer wants to depend only on Delhi-centric leadership.

Preparation to bring forward new leadership

The message within the party is also clear that now a new generation will be brought forward in the government and organization. Giving responsibility to experienced leaders like Bhupendra Yadav, Dharmendra Pradhan, Shivraj Singh Chauhan, and Manohar Lal, and to a leader of relatively young age and from outside Delhi, is being considered as a step in this direction.

BJP's leadership will be more decentralized

The thinking of the Sangh is that the leadership of the BJP should be more decentralized. The party wants to bring forward those leaders who are connected to the ground and not just the faces active in the power corridors of Delhi. This will strengthen the organization's hold at the state and booth level.

Trying to bring new energy into the organization

Nitin Nabin's age at present is 45 years. In such a situation, it is believed that in the coming time, leaders in the age group of 45 to 55 years can be given preference for big organizational posts of the party. Its purpose is to prepare the future BJP and to fill the organization with new energy.

Opportunities will increase for youth

Young leaders are expected to directly benefit from this change. New faces within the party will get a chance to come forward. At the same time, senior leaders having election strategy and experience can be given a role on important forums like the parliamentary board and policy making so that the balance of both experience and the energy of youth is maintained.

Overall, the appointment of Nitin Nabin is not limited to just changing a name, but it is also being considered as an indication of the organizational direction and leadership model of BJP in the coming years.