BJP appoints Bihar cabinet minister Nitin Nabin as party's national working president

Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday elevated Bihar cabinet minister Nitin Nabin to the post of national working president, marking a key organisational appointment by the party’s top leadership.

Nabin’s appointment was cleared by the BJP parliamentary board, which is responsible for major decisions related to the party’s organisational structure.

Announcing the decision, BJP national general secretary Arun Singh said in a notification, “Bharatiya Janata Party's parliamentary board has appointed Nitin Nabin, a minister in the Bihar government, the Bharatiya Janata Party's national working president with immediate effect.”

From Patna West bypoll to national leadership

Nabin’s political journey began early. At just 26, he was fielded by the BJP from the Patna West assembly seat in a 2006 by-election, which was necessitated by the death of his father and senior party leader Navin Kishore Sinha. He won that contest by a margin of nearly 60,000 votes.

Now 45, Nabin has gone on to become a five-term MLA, winning consecutive elections from the rechristened Bankipur constituency. His most recent victory earlier this year came with a margin of over 51,000 votes. Currently, he serves as Bihar’s Public Works Department minister.

PTI quoted BJP insiders saying that Nabin is widely seen as the frontrunner to succeed J P Nadda as the BJP’s full-time national president, potentially making him the first leader from Bihar to hold the party’s top post and among the youngest to do so.

Nitin Nabin: Meet BJP's newly appointed national working president, seen by insiders as JP Nadda’s likely successor

Nadda, who was appointed BJP president in January 2020, has already completed his full term and was granted extensions to steer the party through the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Incidentally, Nadda was also born in Bihar and received his early education in Patna before moving to Himachal Pradesh.

Surprise choice, familiar BJP pattern

The decision once again surprised many within political circles, with the BJP known for elevating relatively low-profile leaders to key organisational positions. Even as speculation swirled, Nabin was attending public programmes in his constituency, thanking party workers for his recent assembly election victory.

At one such event, held before the formal announcement of his new role, he said he bows before the party workers whose efforts, according to him, “create many Nitin Nabins”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Nabin’s elevation, describing him as a dedicated grassroots worker. “He is a young and industrious leader with rich organisational experience and has an impressive record as MLA as well as Minister in Bihar for multiple terms. He has diligently worked to fulfil people's aspirations,” Modi said.

Praising his work ethic, the Prime Minister added, “He is known for his humble nature and grounded style of working. I am confident that his energy and dedication will strengthen our party in the times to come.”

BJP president J P Nadda described Nabin as “a dynamic leader from the sacred land of knowledge and culture, Bihar” and said he was confident the party would scale new heights under his leadership with the guidance of Prime Minister Modi.

Home Minister and former BJP president Amit Shah said Nabin’s elevation was a recognition of his extensive experience among the people and an inspiration for young party workers who “toil day and night”.

(With inputs from PTI)