Law Kumar Mishra
Patna, December 15
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday himself made it clear that Nitin Nabin has been appointed working president of the BJP, the world’s largest political party.
Describing him as a humble leader with strong grassroots connect, Modi’s remarks underlined the thinking behind the decision.
When Arun Singh announced Nabin’s appointment on Sunday, several senior leaders whose names had been circulating for the post — including Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Dharmendra Pradhan and Bhupender Yadav — were taken by surprise. In Bhopal, security at Chouhan’s residence was even stepped up in anticipation.
However, some clarity had begun to emerge the previous night. Late on Saturday, I received a phone call from Vijay Kumar Sharma, a senior BJP leader from Raipur. His comment was revealing: “So Patna will continue to call the shots, will it?”
The remark carried an obvious reference. Jagat Prakash Nadda, like Nitin Nabin, was appointed working president in 2019. Nadda too was born in Patna and completed his schooling and college education there. Nitin Nabin was associated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad along with his father, the late Naval Kishore Sinha.
Nabin’s father played an active role in the Ayodhya movement and was arrested on 7 December 1992 at Phulwarisharif railway station, on the outskirts of Patna, while transporting fragments of the disputed structure.
Nitin Nabin is the first leader from Bihar to be appointed working president at the national level, and also the first from the Kayastha community to reach this position. Another prominent Kayastha leader from Bihar is Ravi Shankar Prasad, who represents Patna Sahib in the Lok Sabha, and Nabin’s elevation is expected to have an impact on Kayastha voters during elections.
Nitin Nabin is deeply religious. He visits the ancient Hanuman temple near Patna Junction every Tuesday. Just a week ago, he performed special prayers at the Baglamukhi Devi temple in Datia, Madhya Pradesh.
