Nitin Nabin: Meet BJP’s newly appointed national working president, seen by insiders as JP Nadda’s likely successor
According to BJP insiders, the 45-year-old minister is seen as the likely successor to JP Nadda as the full-time national president of the BJP, which would make him the first leader from Bihar to head the party.
Nabin’s elevation marks a significant juncture in the organizational trajectory of the BJP, especially as Nadda, who took office in January 2020, has completed his full term and has received additional time to lead the party through the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Who is Nitin Nabin? Early life and background
Nitin Nabin was born in Ranchi, currently in Jharkhand. He belongs to the Kayasth community and comes from a family with deep roots in the BJP. His entry into active politics occurred at a relatively young age, influenced by both family inheritance and electoral opportunities.
Family roots and early entry into politics
Nabin was just 26 years old when he was fielded by the BJP from the Patna West assembly seat in 2006. The by-election was necessitated due to the death of his father, senior party leader Navin Kishore Sinha. Nabin won the contest by nearly 60,000 votes, establishing himself as a strong presence in the electorate.
He is married and has a son and a daughter.
Also read: BJP appoints Bihar cabinet minister Nitin Nabin as party’s national working president
Political journey: From 2006 bypoll to BJP national leadership
Over the next two decades, Nabin consolidated his position within the party and in Bihar politics. Now 45, he became a five-term MLA after consecutive victories from the renamed Bankipur constituency. His most recent parliamentary victory earlier this year was achieved by a margin of over 51,000 votes. Even as speculations about his national role gained momentum, Nabin continued to attend public events in his constituency and thanked party workers for his recent election victory.
At one such event, held long before the announcement of his appointment as the BJP national working president, he said he bowed to the party workers whose hard work, according to him, “created many Nitin Nabins”.
Ministerial roles and organizational experience
Nabin is currently serving as Bihar’s minister in the Department of Public Works and has held ministerial posts in the state government many times. He worked extensively with the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha within the BJP organisation.
He also served as the prabhari of the party in Chhattisgarh and Sikkim. His role during the party’s revival, especially in Chhattisgarh, has been lauded in BJP circles, party leaders said.
Senior leadership approvals
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Nabin’s appointment as national working president and described him as a dedicated grassroots worker.
“He is a young and hard-working leader with rich organizational experience and an impressive track record as MLA and Minister of Bihar for many terms. He has worked diligently to fulfill the aspirations of the people,” Modi said.
Drawing attention to his work ethic, the Prime Minister said, “He is known for his humble nature and down-to-earth working style. I believe that his energy and dedication will strengthen our party in the coming period.”
BJP president JP Nadda called Nabin a “dynamic leader from Bihar, the sacred land of knowledge and culture” and said the party was confident of reaching new heights under his leadership under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi.
Home Minister and former BJP president Amit Shah said Nabin has vast experience of working among the people and his elevation is an honor for every young BJP worker who works day and night.
Succession debate gains momentum
Meanwhile, Nadda, 65, was also born in Bihar and received his primary education in Patna before moving to his hometown Himachal Pradesh. With Nadda in office since 2020, BJP insiders believe Nabin’s rise marks a generational transition at the top of the party.
The BJP was founded in 1980 with Atal Behari Vajpayee as its first president, followed by leaders such as Lal Krishna Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Kushabhau Thakre, Bangaru Laxman, Jana Krishnamurthi, Venkaiah Naidu, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari and Amit Shah. We don’t know yet whether Nabin will be the next name on this list, but it is clear that the debate has begun within the party.
(With inputs from PTI)
