BJP National Convention: Party Constitution Amended To Empower Parliamentary Board To Decide On Chief

The party chief is elected through internal polls conducted after similar processes are carried out in at least 50 percent of its state bodies.

New Delhi: Amendments were made to the BJP’s constitution during the party’s national convention on Sunday, granting authority to its highest organisational body, the Parliamentary Board, to make decisions regarding the president, including their term and potential extensions, in "emergency" situations, news agency PTI reported. The proposal was put forth by the party's general secretary, Sunil Bansal.

The party chief is elected through internal polls conducted after similar processes are carried out in at least 50 percent of its state bodies. However, adhering to this procedure becomes challenging when the party is actively engaged in preparing for assembly or Lok Sabha elections, PTI reported citing its sources.

Currently, the incumbent president, JP Nadda, is on an extended tenure until June 30, in light of the upcoming general polls. While the party hasn't provided detailed explanations for the amendment, insiders suggest it may relate to future appointments of party presidents, according to PTI.

The two-day convention, which concluded on Sunday, also witnessed the adoption of three resolutions.

Meanwhile, some BJP insiders told the news agency that many leaders from various parties, including the Congress, are likely join the saffron party in the coming weeks, as the party aims to achieve its objective of securing 370 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha.

A party official told PTI that MP Nakul Nath, son of senior Congress leader Kamal Nath, might join the BJP amid intense speculation about the former Madhya Pradesh chief minister's potential move.

Other Congress leaders, including former Union ministers and current MPs, are also speculated to switch allegiances ahead of the elections, the official said, reported PTI.

Following the convention, a meeting of BJP chief ministers and deputy chief ministers was convened to discuss the party's strategy for achieving the target of 370 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP National President JP Nadda were also present at the meeting.