BJP president Nitin Nabin chairs first meet with new team, sets poll agenda

BJP national president Nitin Nabin on Saturday (August 22, 2026) held the first meeting with the party's newly appointed national office-bearers, where discussions centred on poll strategy and grassroots outreach, according to party sources. The meeting, held at the party headquarters, comes days after the BJP announced a major organisational reshuffle that saw the induction of 51 new faces into a 65-member national team.

The deliberations focused on preparations for upcoming State Assembly elections, grassroots mobilisation, and effectively communicating the government's initiatives to the public, the sources said. The discussions are part of a broader effort to strengthen the party's organisational structure and ensure coordinated outreach across states.

More meetings are scheduled later in the day, with State presidents, State in-charges and Chief Ministers of BJP-ruled states expected to attend, they added. These follow-up sessions are likely to review state-specific political situations and finalise campaign blueprints for the coming electoral contests.

The BJP announced its new national team under Nabin earlier this week, marking one of the most extensive organisational changes in over a decade. The team comprises 65 office-bearers, with 51 new faces, reflecting an attempt to blend experienced leaders with fresh talent. The previous major organisational rejig of this scale was carried out in 2015 under then party president Amit Shah.

The new team includes 13 national vice presidents, among them former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia and former Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) functionary Ram Madhav. Former Union minister Smriti Irani has been appointed as one of the eight national general secretaries. B L Santhosh continues as national general secretary (organisation), while Vinod Tawde and Sunil Bansal have been retained as general secretaries.

The team also reflects an effort at diversity, with 12 women and six leaders from minority communities among the office-bearers. Union minister Piyush Goyal has been named national treasurer, a role he previously held before joining the first Narendra Modi government in May 2014.

In a notable change, the BJP replaced Amit Malviya as the head of its information technology department, appointing Deepak Mhaskey of Chhattisgarh in his place. Hemang Joshi of Gujarat has been named the party's Yuva Morcha president, replacing Lok Sabha MP Tejasvi Surya. These appointments signal a generational shift at the organisational level, with emphasis on strengthening the party's digital outreach and youth engagement.

The organisational revamp has also sparked speculation among political observers about a possible cabinet reshuffle at the Centre. However, no official confirmation or indication has been provided by the party or the government in this regard. While such speculation is routine during major party reorganisations, sources said the current changes are primarily aimed at preparing the organisation for upcoming electoral battles.

The BJP's next major electoral test will be the State Assembly elections scheduled in several states over the coming months. The party is expected to rely on the revamped team to coordinate campaign strategies, intensify grassroots connections, and highlight the central government's welfare and development schemes. Political analysts note that the inclusion of leaders from diverse backgrounds could help the BJP broaden its appeal among various social groups.

Nabin, who took over as party president earlier this term, has emphasised strengthening the party's organisational machinery and ensuring that every booth and block works efficiently. The meetings on Saturday are seen as the first step in that direction, with further planning sessions likely in the coming weeks to fine-tune election strategies.