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Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appointed a relatively unknown legislator from India’s poorest state as its youngest president on Tuesday, signaling a generational shift aimed at appealing to younger voters. Nitin Nabin, 45, succeeded outgoing president JP Nadda, 65, just months ahead of crucial state elections, including one in West Bengal—a state the BJP has yet to win and is heavily focused on.
A five-term lawmaker from Bihar, Nabin was unanimously elected as the party’s 12th president after being proposed by Modi and other senior leaders. His inauguration at party headquarters in New Delhi was attended by hundreds of workers, with Nabin displaying a vermillion mark on his forehead and a party symbol scarf as he took the oath before Modi and previous presidents.
Modi, 75, emphasized his respect for the party and its workers, stating, “When it comes to the party, I am a worker and he is my boss.” Nabin, who will serve a three-year term, used his acceptance speech to praise Modi as a leader representing a new generation and called on young Indians to actively participate in politics.
Analysts estimate that over 40% of India’s one billion voters are between 18 and 39 years old. The BJP experienced a setback in the 2024 general elections, losing its majority after a decade in power and relying on regional allies to form the government. However, the party has since recaptured ground by winning key state and local elections. Currently, it and its allies govern 19 out of India’s 28 states.
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