The BJP Heats Up as Leadership Battle Begins

Saffron Showdown: Multiple power centres emerge, deepening factional rifts within the party

With nearly two years still to go before the 2027 Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) already finds itself wrestling with an internal tussle for leadership. Beneath the public display of unity, clear signs of an internal power struggle are emerging — one that could intensify as the state inches closer to the polls.

Though former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur remains the party’s most prominent and trusted face, internal discussions suggest he may not be the lone contender for the top post. Senior leaders such as Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur, and Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut are all being talked about as potential chief ministerial aspirants.

Even within the BJP’s own ranks, legislators privately acknowledge that factionalism is on the rise — and fear that clashing ambitions could deepen divisions further. For now, the question of leadership remains open and politically combustible.

Nadda, currently both a Union Minister and the BJP’s national president, wields significant influence in both Delhi and Himachal Pradesh. Party insiders say that if the BJP secures victory in 2027, he may not shy away from returning to his home state as Chief Minister — a move that would bring both experience and stature to the state unit.

Meanwhile, Anurag Thakur’s frequent visits to Himachal for official and political events have fueled speculation about his own ambitions. Traditionally strong in the Hamirpur, Una, and Bilaspur belt, his recent outreach carries unmistakable political undertones.

Adding another layer to this unfolding power play is Kangana Ranaut, the actor-turned-politician from Mandi, whose renewed visibility in her constituency has drawn attention. Despite earlier criticism for her absence during the recent monsoon disaster, her re-engagement with local issues is widely seen as an attempt to consolidate her political footing. When asked about her ambitions, Kangana simply said she has always fulfilled the responsibilities the party has entrusted her with — a statement open to interpretation.

The state BJP’s lineup also includes other influential figures such as state president Rajeev Bindal, former state chief Satpal Singh Satti, and Rajya Sabha MP Indu Goswami, each commanding their own loyal following within the organization.

The recent induction of six Congress MLAs into the BJP has further unsettled the internal balance. Only two — Sudhir Sharma (Dharamshala) and Inder Dutt Lakhanpal (Barsar) — managed to win the subsequent bypolls, while four others failed to do so. Their entry, however, has sparked fresh rivalries over future ticket allocations, raising fears of rebellion ahead of the polls.

Despite the BJP’s confidence about returning to power in 2027, the party faces a tough internal test — one that could shape not only its electoral strategy but also define who leads the saffron front in Himachal Pradesh.