Aditya Sahu is set to become the next president of the Bharatiya Janata Party Jharkhand, with his election virtually assured after he emerged as the sole nominee for the post. The formal declaration will be made on January 14.
The nomination process at the state BJP office on Tuesday drew considerable activity through the day, but only one nomination was filed during the stipulated time between noon and 2 pm. At around 1 pm, Sahu submitted his papers before the party’s designated election officer and Union minister Joel Oraon, in the presence of senior party leaders.
The nomination was proposed by a broad cross-section of the party leadership, including current state president Babulal Marandi, former Union minister Kariya Munda, former chief minister Raghubar Das, Champai Soren, Madhu Koda, Sameer Oraon, Arjun Munda, and several other senior leaders.
With no other candidate in the fray, Sahu’s elevation is considered a formality. Briefing the media, Joel Oraon said the names of the newly-elected state president and members of the BJP National Council would be announced on January 14 at 2 pm. Sahu is currently serving as the party’s working state president.
The organisational elections also covered the National Council, where 21 nominations were filed for 21 available seats, effectively rendering that exercise uncontested as well. The results for these positions will also be declared on January 14.
State election in-charge Pradeep Verma said the party was following its internal democratic process, which includes scrutiny of nominations and a window for withdrawals. With these steps nearing completion, the organisational election process that began last year is now moving towards its conclusion, amid congratulations and greetings for Sahu from senior leaders at the state party office.