JP Nadda appointed BJP working president

NEW DELHI: Former Union Minister JP Nadda was named the BJP's Working President Monday, ending weeks of speculation on whether Amit Shah, who was given charge of the home ministry, will retain both posts. Union Minister Rajnath Singh, who made the announcement, said the decision was taken after Shah expressed an intention to step aside as it would not be possible to justice to both roles. For now, Shah remains the party chief, but the workload will be shared with Nadda.

"The BJP won several elections under the leadership of Amit Shah Ji. But since PM appointed him Home Minister, Amit Shah Ji himself said the responsibility of party president should be given to someone else," Rajnath Singh said.

Nadda enjoys the confidence of the party's top leadership and is known to be trusted by the party's ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh. The 58-year-old Brahmin leader from Himachal Pradesh has a clean reputation and maintains a low profile.

Amit Shah, who was named the home minister after the party came to power in May, had so far been juggling both responsibilities. But with assembly elections looming in four states by the end of this year, there was speculation whether he would retain the party post.

Since the new cabinet of PM Modi took the oath, there was this buzz that Nadda could be named Amit Shah's successor. He was instrumental in furthering PM Modi's flagship programmes including Ayushman Bharat, the health-insurance scheme of his first government.

This is the first time in its history that the BJP has named a working president.