Sonowal’s elevation as BJP president would mark a significant representation for the Northeast and the indigenous communities.
NEW DELHI: Union Minister and former Assam Chief Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal, is among the frontrunners being considered for the position of the next BJP National President, following the completion of incumbent Jagat Prakash Nadda’s tenure. Nadda has been leading the party since January 2020.
The announcement regarding the new president is expected soon, as the BJP, after winning the Delhi elections for the first time in almost three decades, is looking to kickstart its Bihar campaign early, where it has long been trying to come to power on its own.
Sonowal hails from the Sonowal Kachari community, an indigenous ethnic group from Assam. The Sonowal Kacharis, a tribal community, are recognised as part of the Scheduled Tribes (ST) in the state.
To date, of the eleven national presidents the BJP has had since its inception, none have been from either the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category or the Northeast region. If Sonowal is appointed as the national president, it would mark a historic first for the party, providing significant regional representation from the Northeast and ST community at the national leadership level.
The 62-year-old Sonowal, who is unmarried, currently serves as the Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. In May 2016, Sonowal, after winning from the Majuli constituency, became the first Chief Minister of Assam from BJP. Apart from being a member of the state Assembly, he has also served two terms in the Lok Sabha and has been a member of the Rajya Sabha since 2021.
His elevation to party president would send a positive signal to the indigenous people and tribal communities, highlighting the importance the BJP attaches to the historically neglected Northeast region.
Other factors that make him a strong candidate include his proven governance record. As the Chief Minister of Assam, Sonowal was widely recognised for his development agenda and efforts to improve infrastructure, security, and governance in the state. Additionally, his leadership was praised by the top party leadership and RSS functionaries for managing the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
The relatively young Sonowal would also appeal to the youth demographic, which is a key voter base for the BJP. His elevation would also present the party as a pan-Indian force, actively engaging with regional concerns while promoting national unity.