RANCHI: Jharkhand BJP is all set to get a new state president on January 14. Party sources indicated that the leadership is likely to opt for a consensus candidate this time, paving the way for the new state president to be elected unanimously.
The party will begin the nomination and scrutiny process on Tuesday. The newly appointed state election officer and Union Minister Jual Oram is scheduled to reach Ranchi on Monday to conduct the election.
Executive President Aditya Sahu is said to be leading the race for the post of state president. Party sources claimed that by appointing Aditya Sahu to the post, the BJP wants to convey that even an ordinary party worker can rise to the top in the organisation.
Aditya Sahu, who started his political career as a district-level worker, rose to the state level and was later sent to the Rajya Sabha by the party. He has been serving as an Executive President and is credited with strong organisational experience, an effective working style and a solid support base across the state. The central leadership is said to be inclined to entrust him with full-time responsibility.
Former Chief Minister Raghubar Das, who recently resigned from the Governor’s post, is also considered a strong contender for the position. Similarly, the names of former Chief Minister and Cabinet Minister Arjun Munda and Pradeep Verma are also being discussed. Aditya Sahu and Raghubar Das belong to the OBC (Other Backward Classes) community, while Munda is a tribal leader.
According to the election schedule released by BJP State General Secretary, Member of Parliament and State Election Officer Dr Pradeep Verma, the process for electing the state president will be conducted on January 13 and 14. The nomination process will take place at the BJP state office in Ranchi on January 13 between 12 noon and 2 pm. Scrutiny of nomination papers will be completed by 3 pm, and nominations can be withdrawn by 5 pm.
The names of the newly elected state president and members of the national council will be formally declared on January 14 at 2 pm at the Carnival Hall on Harmu Road in Ranchi. An election will be held if more than one nomination paper is received for the post of state president.
Dr Pradeep Verma said the BJP’s organisational election process has been underway in Jharkhand for the past one year. “The process included primary and active membership drives, along with the election of booth committee members, mandal presidents and district presidents. Now, in the final phase of the organisational elections, the state president and members of the national council will be elected on January 13 and 14,” he said.