The Bharatiya Janata Party's Jharkhand unit officially launched its preparations on Monday for the upcoming election to select a new state president. The crucial vote is scheduled for January 14.
Election Process and Timeline
Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Jual Oram has received the appointment as election officer. He will supervise the entire election procedure.
The nomination process opens on Tuesday. According to Pradeep Verma, one of the election in-charges, nominations will be accepted until 2 PM on Tuesday. Scrutiny of nominations will follow immediately and conclude by 3 PM. Candidates may withdraw their nominations until 5 PM the same day.
Contested Election Only If Needed
The actual election for state president will occur on January 14 only if the party receives more than one nomination. Party insiders suggest this scenario is unlikely to happen.
Leadership Changes and Political Context
The BJP is seeking a political revival in Jharkhand following its defeat in the 2024 assembly elections. The election for the new president is a key part of this strategy.
Notably, the party appointed Rajya Sabha MP Aditya Sahu as working president late last year. This move signaled the central leadership's preference. Sahu comes from an OBC background. Insiders say the party aims to consolidate this substantial voter base in the state.
Former Chief Minister and current Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi holds the outgoing state president position. He is likely to be replaced due to the party's poor performance in the 2024 assembly polls and subsequent by-elections.
Party sources also indicate that a tribal candidate is unlikely to become the next state president.
Broader Organizational Elections
Alongside the state president, elections will also be held to choose 21 members for the BJP's national council. State unit officials confirmed this information.
Pradeep Verma provided further context on the party's activities. "Since last year, the party has been running drives to strengthen the organization," he said. These efforts include primary and active membership drives, forming booth committees, and appointing mandal and district presidents.
"Elections for the state president and national council members will be the final stage of this process," Verma added.
