The inquiry regarding the next chief of the BJP—who it will be and from which region—remains a prominent topic in political discussions. The most recent interview with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was published on Wednesday. In this interview, he was questioned about running for election from Gorakhpur for a third consecutive term, and his response has sparked various speculations. Following his remarks, a significant debate has emerged among political analysts.
When asked if he would seek election for a third time, CM Yogi replied, “I will not make an attempt. Our party has a Prayas Yojana. Any leader from the BJP has the potential to become the Chief Minister.”
What does it signify to propose the name of Yogi Adityanath?
Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, is recognized nationwide for his assertive persona. There is considerable dialogue in various states regarding the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh and the progress of development initiatives. The Sangh is advocating for a strong Hindu leader to assume the presidency of the party. This context has led to the recent emergence of Yogi Adityanath’s name in discussions.
The key point is that Yogi Adityanath is unlikely to be viewed as a ‘so-called weak’ national president, in contrast to JP Nadda. However, there are three significant challenges he faces.
Firstly, Yogi Adityanath’s inflexible demeanor is a concern. He frequently displays frustration and has demonstrated an inability to foster unity within his administration. The dissatisfaction among the MLAs is widely recognized.
Secondly, there is a lack of strong rapport with the BJP leadership. It is widely acknowledged that his relationship with the central command in Delhi is strained.
A significant challenge lies in the qualifications required for selecting the national president. The individual must possess organizational skills rather than merely a high level of popularity. Yogi Adityanath, despite founding his own Hindu Yuva Vahini, lacks experience within the BJP’s organizational framework.
The selection of the national president will not be influenced by regional affiliations, whether from the South or the North.
Currently, names such as G Kishan Reddy, the Minister of Coal and Tourism, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, a Lok Sabha member and Union Minister of State for Home, and Union Minister Prahlad Joshi are being considered as potential successors to the current national president, JP Nadda. Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar hail from Telangana, while Joshi is from Karnataka. Following the establishment of the Modi 3.0 government, there was speculation about Shivraj Singh Chauhan assuming the role of national president, although he has since been appointed as the Agriculture Minister. Additionally, other candidates from the North are being discussed. Vasundhara Raje’s name has surfaced multiple times, but there are indications that the BJP is now prioritizing its Mission South, especially since Congress governs both Telangana and Karnataka.