Nadda too will get more time to devote to state before 2027 Assembly elections
S Gopal Puri
DHARAMSHALA: The Bharatiya Janata Party’s unexpected decision to appoint Nitin Nabin as its national working president is beginning to ripple through state units, with Himachal Pradesh emerging as a key theatre of political recalibration. Party insiders believe the move could significantly strengthen former Union Minister Anurag Thakur’s position, both within the BJP’s national ecosystem and in Himachal Pradesh’s internal power dynamics.
While Nabin’s rise is being viewed nationally as part of an organisational transition, in Himachal it is widely seen as expanding Anurag Thakur’s informal influence. This strength does not stem from a formal post but from deep-rooted organisational networks and long-standing political trust.
Relationship forged in BJP’s Youth wing
The political chemistry between Anurag Thakur and Nitin Nabin dates back to their Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) days between 2010 and 2015, a period many in the BJP describe as the party’s “political laboratory”. At the time, Anurag Thakur served as BJYM national president, shaping strategy and taking key decisions, while Nabin, as national general secretary, ensured execution on the ground.
Those years helped forge a relationship based on mutual confidence rather than public posturing. Party functionaries say the partnership delivered tangible organisational outcomes, quietly but effectively, and built a trust that has endured beyond generational shifts within the BJP.
With Nabin now occupying a position at the very top of the party’s organisational ladder, that old working relationship has acquired fresh political relevance.
Delhi tailwinds for Anurag Thakur
According to senior BJP leaders, the most immediate impact of Nabin’s elevation is a more favourable political climate for Anurag Thakur in New Delhi. The presence of a top organisational leader who understands Thakur’s political instincts, priorities and working style has altered the internal dynamic.
“Anurag’s views will no longer be seen as just suggestions. They will be treated as strategic inputs,” said a senior party functionary, pointing to Thakur’s growing role in internal deliberations.
This enhanced standing is likely to reflect in decisions related not only to national strategy but also to Himachal Pradesh, where organisational restructuring and electoral planning are expected in the coming months.
Nadda’s continued relevance in Himachal
Alongside Anurag Thakur’s rising clout, BJP national president Jagat Prakash Nadda’s ongoing role in Himachal Pradesh is also expected to remain significant. Nadda’s long organisational journey from student politics to the party’s highest office has given him enduring influence across the BJP’s hierarchy.
Party leaders say that in Himachal Pradesh, no major decision related to leadership, organisation or electoral strategy is likely to be taken without factoring in both Nadda and Anurag Thakur. Anurag Thakur’s five consecutive terms as Member of Parliament, his direct access to the central leadership and his hold over youth politics together position him as the state’s most influential national face.
Within the BJP, Nitin Nabin’s appointment is increasingly being interpreted as more than a routine organisational move. But for Anurag Thakur, it is being seen as a formal expansion of his political space, one that could play a decisive role in shaping Himachal Pradesh’s political trajectory in the near future.
At the same time, discussions about Nadda becoming more active in Himachal politics are gaining momentum, suggesting that the state may soon witness a renewed alignment of its most powerful BJP leaders at both the organisational and strategic levels.
