Nabin Signals: Cadre, ideology, youth push

New Delhi: In his first address as BJP president, Nitin Nabin laid out three clear political priorities - a push to draw youth into politics, reassurance to the party cadre that hard work and loyalty are rewarded, and a firm assertion that BJP under his leadership will stay anchored to its ideological core.

Signalling an immediate start, Nabin will convene a meeting of national office-bearers and state in-charges on Wednesday to chart strategy for the coming months and the upcoming assembly elections in five states, including West Bengal.

Speaking at BJP headquarters after being announced as the party's 12th president, Nabin urged leaders and workers to mount an aggressive electoral push to protect what he described as the country's "Sanatan traditions and faith" and to counter demographic deviations in key poll-bound states.


Nabin echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for youth participation in public life, arguing that staying away from politics is not a solution. He urged them to engage in what he termed "positive politics" to help realise the goal of a developed India.

He cautioned against quick political ascents. "Politics is not a 100-metre race but a marathon," Nabin said, stressing that endurance, discipline and rootedness matter more than speed - a message aimed at shaping long-term cadre commitment. Addressing party workers, he underlined the importance of sustained organisational work. In a pointed assurance, he said BJP's organisational system closely tracks performance and ensures deserving workers rise through the ranks - a signal that loyalty and hard work will not go unnoticed. "BJP's watchtower is strong enough to keep a close watch on every minute detail and take you one day to the position you deserve."

Nabin also sharpened BJP's ideological pitch by flagging "demographic changes" in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry, projecting them as a political challenge the party must confront in the coming elections.

Taking on Opposition parties, including DMK and Congress, he referred to controversies such as the Karthigai Deepam issue in Tamil Nadu, accusing rivals of obstructing cultural practices. He said such forces must be decisively defeated.