Nitin takes over as BJP’s 12th president; PM Modi says ‘You are my Boss’

New Delhi, Jan 20: Nitin Nabin on Tuesday assumed charge as the Bharatiya Janata Party’s 12th national president, succeeding J P Nadda and marking a generational shift in the party’s leadership as it looks to consolidate power and expand its political footprint across the country.

After the formal announcement of his election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with senior BJP leaders, escorted Nabin to his office at the party headquarters, where he officially took charge. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, outgoing president J P Nadda and BJP general secretary B L Santhosh were present. Nabin’s family members also attended the occasion.

Addressing party workers, Prime Minister Modi described 45-year-old Nabin as a “millennial” leader with youthful energy and deep organisational experience. In a 40-minute speech, Modi repeatedly referred to him as “mananiya” (honourable) and said that, in party matters, he himself was merely a worker while Nabin was his boss. Modi framed his speech as an account of the NDA government’s work over the last 11 years, joking that the new party president would now write his “confidential report.”

Modi underlined the importance of coordination with National Democratic Alliance partners, reminding Nabin that his role extended beyond the BJP to maintaining harmony within the broader alliance. He said Nabin’s guidance would be crucial in shaping the party’s future direction.

In his address, Nabin called upon the youth to actively participate in politics to help realise Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a developed India. He said staying away from politics was not a solution and urged young people to engage in “positive politics.” Stressing patience and perseverance, Nabin remarked that politics was a marathon rather than a sprint. He also assured party workers that their efforts would be recognised, saying the BJP’s organisational “watchtower” was strong enough to notice everyone’s contribution.

Nabin appealed to party leaders and workers to make an all-out effort to ensure BJP’s success in the upcoming Assembly elections in five states, including West Bengal. He said electoral victories were necessary to protect the country’s cultural traditions and address demographic concerns.

Outgoing president J P Nadda described Nabin as a young, energetic and capable karyakarta with extensive organisational and administrative experience. He highlighted Nabin’s five terms as an MLA, his tenure as a minister in the Bihar government, his work in the BJP Yuva Morcha, and his role in strengthening the party in states such as Sikkim and Chhattisgarh. Nadda expressed confidence that the party would move forward rapidly under Nabin’s leadership and thanked party workers and Prime Minister Modi for their support during his tenure.

BJP leader K Laxman, the returning officer for the organisational elections, formally declared the results and handed over the certificate of election to Nabin, the youngest-ever national president of the BJP. Founded in 1980—the year Nabin was born—the party has now placed its leadership in the hands of a low-profile leader who rose through dedication and organisational work rather than dynastic privilege.