The Bharatiya Janata Party, long considered a political force with its stronghold in North India, may be looking to expand its support base to South India by appointment of a leader hailing from the region.
With a party that continuously tries expanding its political footprint across the country, the move is expected to bolster its outreach in southern India.
JP Nadda, who is already on an extension, is expected to be moved out of the organization over the next few weeks. Sources stated that he is likely to be replaced by a senior leader who hails from South India and is acceptable to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the ideological parent of the BJP.
The new BJP chief is expected to be installed over the next few weeks, and a leader from South can make the cut. This move could resonate with voters in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, where the saffron front is trying to grow desperately, sources said. With over 100 Lok Sabha seats in these states, the BJP feels it has a lot of scope to expand in the region.
Interestingly, amongst these states only one National Democratic Alliance government is in power. The Andhra Pradesh government led by N Chandrababu Naidu is the only ally of the saffron party in the south, while the other four states are still under the grip of the opposition.
The appointment, if it happens, could also help reassure populations in these states that scepticism about Hindi imposition, a major controversy that flares up every few months, is addressed by the BJP on priority.
Appointing a leader from the South could signal the BJP’s commitment to being a truly pan-Indian party, shedding its “North Indian” tag. The national executive of the BJP was also held in Hyderabad in 2023, one of the most important strategy meetings ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha polls, with an eye on expansion in South India.
The BJP’s recent electoral gains in the South suggest a shift in voter sentiment that could justify elevating a southern leader. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the party improved its tally in Karnataka and made unexpected gains in Telangana. While it has yet to win Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu or Kerala, its vote share has incrementally risen, indicating a slow but steady acceptance. A South Indian BJP chief could accelerate this trend by bridging cultural and linguistic divides.
If the BJP were to appoint a South Indian chief, the implications would be profound. It could galvanize the party’s southern cadre, boost morale, and attract new voters by showcasing a commitment to federalism.
