metro india news  I amaravati

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Andhra Pradesh is on the brink of a significant leadership change, with the appointment of a new State president likely to be announced within the next week or 10 days. This pivotal decision is expected to set the tone for the party’s future trajectory in the state.

The task of selecting the new president has been handed over to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological backbone of the BJP. After extensive deliberations, the RSS will submit a shortlist of names, with the final decision resting with the BJP high command. The announcement of the new State president is expected to take place in the fourth week of January.

Over 20 leaders are reportedly in the running for the influential position, each eager to steer the party to greater heights in the State. According to the sources, “The competition is expected to be fierce, with several leaders already having met with senior BJP and RSS officials in an effort to gain the nod. A crucial meeting to finalize the candidates is scheduled in Vijayawada, where party leadership will weigh the strengths and weaknesses of potential contenders.”

Among the frontrunners are Adoni MLA Dr. PV Parthasarathi, Vijayawada West MLA Sujana Chowdary, MLC PVN Madhav, and senior party leader Purighalla Raghuram.

As with any major political decision, several factors are expected to influence the selection of the new president. The BJP high command is likely to give due consideration to caste dynamics, financial backing, and the candidate's ability to engage with the party's national leadership and NDA allies.

In particular, there is speculation that the party will prioritize a seasoned leader capable of reinforcing the BJP's organizational structure and enhancing its grassroots support. Notably, some party insiders argue that the new president should be someone who has demonstrated at least six years of dedicated service to the party, a criterion that has been applied in the selection of mandal and district-level presidents.

“The party has time until the next general elections to consolidate its position in the State. It would make sense to appoint a leader with experience who can focus on building the party’s base. 

There will be a careful evaluation process even for these district-level appointments, with an emphasis on selecting loyalists who have worked tirelessly for the party, often behind the scenes, without expecting personal recognition,” a senior party leader commented, on condition of anonymity.

The appointment of the State president is part of a larger effort to strengthen the BJP’s structure at the grassroots level. In the coming days, the BJP will also announce the appointment of district and mandal-level presidents. These leaders will play a crucial role in rallying support for the party at the local level, as the party seeks to expand its footprint across the State.

However, some sources close to the party suggest that there is little interest from former Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy in taking up the State president’s role. Despite being an influential figure in Andhra Pradesh politics, his disinterest leaves room for fresh leadership to take the reins.

The appointment of a new BJP State president in Andhra Pradesh is not just about leadership; it is a strategic move that could have long-lasting implications for the party’s growth in the State. The selection of the right candidate will be crucial in ensuring the BJP's success in the upcoming elections, with much of its fate resting on the ability to consolidate support across various sections of the electorate