In a significant organisational reshuffle, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday appointed its six-time legislator from Darbhanga and former minister, Sanjay Saraogi, as the new president of its Bihar state unit. The 56-year-old leader takes over from Dilip Kumar Jaiswal, who held the position for less than two years.
A Notification from the Central Leadership
The appointment was officially announced by the party's national general secretary, Arun Singh, through a notification. The notification stated that BJP national president Jagat Prakash Nadda had appointed Sanjay Saraogi as the Bihar state president with immediate effect. This move is seen as part of the party's strategy to bolster its organisational strength in the crucial eastern state.
Reacting to his new role, Saraogi expressed deep gratitude and commitment. In a conversation with TOI, he described the party as a mother and pledged to justify the faith shown by the central leadership. "Honest work will be done in the direction of how the party moves forward," he said. He added that he would strive to fulfil the responsibility given to an ordinary worker like him and strengthen the organisation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
From ABVP Worker to State President: Saraogi's Political Journey
Sanjay Saraogi's political roots run deep, beginning with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) during his student days. He served the ABVP in various roles for a decade. His formal ascent within the BJP framework started in 1999 when he was made the district secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM).
His organisational journey within the party saw steady progress:
- In 2001, he was appointed president of the BJP's Darbhanga Nagar Mandal.
- By 2003, he rose to become the general secretary of the BJP's Darbhanga district unit.
- His electoral career began with winning a ward councillor seat in the Darbhanga Municipal Corporation in 2002.
Sanjay Saraogi first won the MLA election from Darbhanga Sadar in February 2005. He then displayed remarkable electoral consistency, securing victories from the same seat in the subsequent assembly polls of November 2005, 2010, 2015, 2020, and 2025. His ministerial experience includes serving as the Cabinet Minister for Revenue and Land Reforms from February 2025 until the recent assembly elections. His exclusion from the new ministry formed last month after the NDA's victory had raised questions, which are now answered with this top organisational role.
Leadership Change and Congratulatory Messages
The change in leadership aligns with the BJP's principle of 'one person, one post'. His predecessor, Dilip Kumar Jaiswal, had resigned from the Nitish Kumar cabinet upon becoming state president last year. The appointment has drawn congratulations from across the political spectrum in Bihar.
Chief Minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar, who worked with Saraogi in the cabinet, extended his best wishes, acknowledging his six-term electoral success. Bihar Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar praised Saraogi as a skilled and experienced organiser. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary expressed confidence that the party would gain new momentum under Saraogi's leadership to implement the NDA government's manifesto.
Interestingly, the president of the state BJP Mahila Morcha, Dharmasheela Gupta, also hails from Darbhanga, highlighting the district's growing prominence within the party's state hierarchy.
