New Delhi, December 15 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday appointed Bihar minister and senior party leader Nitin Nabin as its national working president signalling a generational shift in the party’s top leadership. With the appointment, Nabin becomes the first leader from Bihar to hold the post and is seen as a potential future successor to BJP president J. P. Nadda.
The decision was taken by the BJP parliamentary board and marks a significant organisational change at the national level. Nabin, currently the Public Works Department (PWD) minister in the Bihar government, entered electoral politics in 2006 when the BJP fielded him from the then Patna West constituency following the death of his father and veteran party leader Navin Kishore Sinha. He won the by-election by a margin of nearly 60,000 votes, marking a strong debut.
Nearly two decades later Nabin has emerged as a key BJP face in Bihar. He is a five time MLA having won consecutive elections from the rechristened Bankipur assembly constituency one of the party’s strongest urban seats in the state. In the most recent Assembly election he secured a victory margin of over 51,000 votes.
The choice surprised many in line with the BJP’s past practice of elevating relatively low profile leaders to key organisational roles. Even before the formal announcement, Nabin was seen attending public programmes in his constituency, thanking party workers for their support. I bow before the workers of the party whose hard work creates many Nitin Nabins, he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Nabin, describing him as “a young and industrious leader with rich organisational experience” and an “impressive record as an MLA and minister.”
“I am confident that his energy and dedication will strengthen our party in the times to come,” Modi said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Nabin’s elevation was “an honour for every young BJP worker who toils day and night,” citing his extensive experience of working among the people.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh termed the appointment a proud moment for Bihar, saying Nabin would help take the party to “new heights of success” under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.
BJP president J. P. Nadda described Nabin as “a dynamic leader from the sacred land of knowledge and culture, Bihar,” and expressed confidence that the party would achieve new organisational milestones with his induction into the top leadership.
Born in Ranchi (now in Jharkhand), Nabin has served multiple terms as a minister in the Bihar government and has also held key organisational responsibilities, including serving as the BJP’s in charge for Chhattisgarh and Sikkim.
Reacting to his appointment, Nabin dedicated the responsibility to party workers. “I am thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, national president JP Nadda ji and Home Minister Amit Shah ji for trusting me with this responsibility. We will work to strengthen the BJP with the spirit of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,” he said at the state BJP office.
Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar congratulated Nabin, calling him a disciplined and dedicated politician. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said the appointment was “a moment of pride for the BJP,” while Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar also extended his congratulations.
