Speculation is rife within the BJP that the name of its new chief could be announced before the Budget Session of Parliament, which is beginning from July 7. PM Narendra Modi’s close aide and BJP leader in charge of Uttar Pradesh Amit Shah is said to be the front-runner for the post.
The issue of who will be the next party chief was apparently discussed between Mr Modi, current chief and Union home minister Rajnath Singh and other senior leaders, including finance minister Arun Jaitley.
With Mr Rajnath Singh being accommodated in the Modi government and in keeping with the party’s principle of “one man, one post”, a new saffron party chief has to be appointed.
While the names of party general secretary J.P. Nadda and Rajya Sabha MP Om Mathur are also doing the rounds for the post, Mr Shah, who is given credit for giving Uttar Pradesh to the saffron party, is said to be the front-runner.
Mr Singh on Wednesday said discussions on the appointment of his successor in the organisation were “still on”.
Mr Singh, along with senior party leaders, including Mr Jaitley, sources said, held discussions with Mr Modi on the issue after the Union Cabinet meeting Wednesday. Mr Singh, who was to hold a key meeting at BJP headquarters on Wednesday with party office-bearers and ministers to discuss possible changes in the BJP, could not do so as it was postponed due to the Rajdhani Express derailing in Bihar.