Nitin Nabin May Not Become Rajya Sabha Member: Will the Shah-Gadkari Formula Hold?

Patna: Ever since Nitin Nabin was appointed the National Executive President of the BJP, political circles have been abuzz with speculation that a Rajya Sabha seat is almost guaranteed for him. However, senior BJP sources indicate that the story may have a twist.

According to party insiders, Nitin Nabin might continue to focus on his role as party president without entering the Rajya Sabha. This is not unprecedented; several past BJP national presidents have held the party’s top position while serving as MLAs, foregoing a seat in the upper house.

Historical Precedents

Nitin Gadkari, one of BJP’s most prominent leaders, rose through the ranks from an Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) member to National President. He has served as India’s Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shipping, Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation. Gadkari held the BJP president post from 2010 to 2013 while being a member of the Legislative Council, before entering the Lok Sabha in 2014.

Similarly, Amit Shah, born on October 22, 1964, served as BJP president from 2014 to 2020 while being a Gujarat MLA. He managed both roles simultaneously for about three years. Shah also held the post of Union Minister for Cooperation until July 2021 and served as a Rajya Sabha member from Gujarat between 2017 and 2019.

These examples suggest that holding the party’s highest office does not necessarily require a Rajya Sabha seat, and a similar “Shah-Gadkari formula” could apply to Nitin Nabin.

With five Rajya Sabha seats soon to fall vacant in Bihar, speculation continues over BJP’s strategy and which leaders will be chosen. For now, it appears Nitin Nabin’s focus may remain on strengthening the party at the national level rather than in the parliamentary chamber.