After serving as the Bharatiya Janata Party president for five-and-a-half years, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday made way for senior party leader J.P. Nadda to be the new party chief. During the election held in New Delhi—a convention the party had followed—59-year-old Nadda was elected president unanimously.
Nadda rose through the party ranks first as a student leader in Patna University, and later as a member of party's youth wing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled his association with Nadda when he was in-charge of the party in Himachal Pradesh. “I worked in Himachal; there I worked with him as a party cadre. While I looked after party organisation, he was associated with the Yuva Morcha. There we travelled together on a scooter,” Modi said while felicitating Nadda on his new assignment. The BJP had organised a function at the party headquarters where senior leaders, including L.K. Advani, M.M. Joshi, party chief ministers and cabinet ministers gathered.
As Nadda belongs to Himachal, but had his education and started political work in Bihar, Modi said as much people of Himachal will be happy, the people of Bihar will be equally thrilled. Elections in Bihar are due later this year.
Nadda, who earlier served as the Union health minister, was made BJP's working president when Modi government was elected for the second time. He also served as the BJP general secretary. The then BJP president, Nitin Gadkari, said after seeing his work, he had called Nadda from Himachal to serve at the national level.
Nadda had done his bachelors degree in political science from Patna University in 1980, and later LLB from Himachal Pradesh University. He was elected MLA three times in Himachal where he also served as minister holding different portfolios including Health.
“Nadda's leadership will give us new energy, hope, and inspiration. We must ensure that he is successful. Whatever he asks for, we must deliver. I'm sure that under his leadership, the party will move forward with its core values. The BJP may face more difficulty in the future and we must be ready,” Modi said.
During his speech, the prime minister also made reference to the anti-CAA protests. He said misinformation was being spread, and his party cadre should reach out to everyone to dispel it. “There are people who dislike the principles which guide us. Our problems aren't because we're doing something wrong, it's because people of this country are blessing us. Those rejected by public in elections are left with very few weapons, one of them is to 'spread misinformation'.”
Shah recalled the work done by the Modi government in fulfilling its agenda. “Under PM Modi's aegis, we have moved ahead towards completing every promise we made to the nation. From Article 370 to Triple Talaq, PM Modi is building a New India. There are a few states where we are yet to attain electoral success and reach every booth. I call upon every worker to be ready to work under the leadership of PM Modi and Nadda,” Shah said at the party function.
Modi also recalled Shah's contribution in taking the party to new heights. “It isn't possible for a ruling party to struggle for more. But Amit Shah has done it. He has made the BJP the world's biggest party.”
During his speech, Nadda thanked everyone for reposing faith in him. He said it was only in the BJP that an ordinary worker could be rewarded with the top post. “Amit Shah says party is yet to see its pinnacle. Modi ji has given us direction and destination, we will work hard for the party, I can assure. We will take party to pinnacle,” Nadda said.
