BJP’s next big move: Nitin Nabin emerges as frontrunner to succeed JP Nadda

Nitin Nabin

Just 26 years old when he first entered electoral politics, Nitin Nabin’s rise within the Bharatiya Janata Party has been swift and striking. Nearly two decades later, the 45-year-old Bihar leader is widely seen as the frontrunner to become the BJP’s next full-time national president, potentially the first from Bihar.

Nabin was first elected to the Bihar Assembly in 2006 from the Patna West seat in a by-election necessitated by the death of his father, veteran BJP leader Navin Kishore Sinha. Since then, he has gone on to win five consecutive Assembly elections from the rechristened Bankipur constituency, often by large margins.

The BJP parliamentary board on Saturday appointed him as the party’s national working president, a move that surprised many, in line with the party’s tendency to elevate relatively low-profile leaders to key organisational roles. At the time of the announcement, Nabin was reportedly attending public events in his constituency, thanking party workers for his recent electoral victory.

At one such event, even before the official declaration, Nabin said he bowed before party workers, remarking that it is their hard work that creates “many Nitin Nabins”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Nabin’s elevation, describing him as a “hardworking karyakarta” with rich organisational experience and an impressive record as both an MLA and a minister in Bihar. Modi said Nabin’s energy, humility and dedication would strengthen the party in the years ahead.

BJP president J P Nadda, who has completed his full term after being appointed in January 2020 and receiving multiple extensions through the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, also congratulated Nabin. Nadda called him a dynamic leader from Bihar and expressed confidence that the party would scale new heights under his leadership with Modi’s guidance.

Home Minister Amit Shah said Nabin’s elevation was a source of inspiration for young BJP workers, highlighting his extensive grassroots experience and organisational work.

Currently serving as Bihar’s Public Works Department minister, Nabin has held ministerial responsibilities multiple times and has worked extensively with the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha. He has also served as BJP prabhari for Chhattisgarh and Sikkim, earning praise within party circles for his role in reviving the party’s prospects in Chhattisgarh.

Born in Ranchi, now in Jharkhand, Nabin is known for winning elections with decisive margins. His first bypoll victory in 2006 came by nearly 60,000 votes, while his most recent win earlier this year was by over 51,000 votes.

If appointed, Nabin would join a lineage of BJP presidents that includes Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Kushabhau Thakre, Bangaru Laxman, Venkaiah Naidu, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari and Amit Shah.

*With PTI inputs