JP Nadda set to replace Amit Shah as BJP President; party leaders huddle in Delhi

Just ahead of Delhi election and as the "Ekadashi" sets in, the "world's largest political party" - BJP will have a new President on Monday by 2.30 pm, bringing an end of Amit Shah era. Party Working President Jagat Prakash Nadda is all set to win unopposed.

The choice of the announcement date on an "Ekadashi", was done keeping in the auspiciousness aspect in mind.

The fact that the BJP has stated that the announcement will come by afternoon suggests there won't be anyone apart from JP Nadda, who is backed by Modi-Shah duo, will throw his hat into. Earlier the party through an official communique said that "if an election is at all necessary", it will take place on Jan 21.

The fact, the announcement will be made a day earlier, is a clear indication there won't be any election in the first place, as was speculated.

Meanwhile, all senior ministers are asked to be in the party office, on Monday. The nomination process for the post of BJP President will begin at 10 am and will go on till 12.30 pm.

For the next hour, the filed nomination papers will be examined and another one hour till 2.30 pm will be provided to withdraw nominations, if any candidate wishes to. By, 2.30 pm, Nadda is all set to be declared the man who will step into the role of Amit Shah.

Why was Nadda brought in?

Though many believe, Shah will have the last say on all macro decisions like pre-poll alliances or top organisational appointments, he will be free from daily monitoring of the organisation.

Shah himself wanted this, due to which Nadda was brought in as the Working President of the party as key legislations like abrogation of Article 370, Triple Talaq and finally, Citizenship Amendment Act meant Shah, who is the home minister as well, had to prioritize his works.

IANS earlier reported that the "world's largest party" will elect its new President on January 20, as it is an "Ekadashi", which is an auspicious day according to the Hindu faith.

In Sanskrit, "Ekadashi" means 11, as in the eleventh day of two fortnights of the waxing and waning moon. The date was chosen, keeping that in mind, say sources.

The party constitution mandates completion of election of at least 50 per cent of state Presidents for the election of national President to happen. In the last few days, the BJP has completed the election of a slew of state Presidents like in West Bengal, Nagaland among others.

The process of election of the national BJP President is quite elaborate and has been described in detail in the party constitution, which says that the national President shall be elected by an electoral college, comprising members of the national council and the state councils.

"Any 20 members of the electoral college of a state can jointly propose the name of a person, who has been an active member for four terms and has 15 years of membership, for the post of National President. Such joint proposal should come from not less than five states where elections have been completed for the national council. The consent of the candidate is necessary," it says.