In a historic leadership transition, Nitin Nabin on Tuesday officially assumed charge as the national president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), succeeding J P Nadda. At 45, Nabin becomes the youngest leader to hold the top position in the party’s 43-year history, marking a significant generational shift in its leadership.

The election results were formally announced by K Laxman, the Returning Officer for the BJP’s organisational polls, who handed over the certificate of election to Nabin at the party headquarters in Delhi. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, outgoing president J P Nadda, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, and several other senior party leaders, highlighting the importance of the event.

Born the same year the BJP was founded in 1980, Nitin Nabin has risen steadily through party ranks. He previously served as a minister for law and justice, urban development, and housing in the Bihar government before resigning to take on the role of working president of the BJP in December last year. His low-profile and methodical approach to politics have earned him respect across the party.

During the handover, outgoing BJP president J P Nadda addressed party workers, praising Nabin and expressing confidence in his leadership. “Under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi and the chairmanship of Nitin Nabin, the BJP will expand its influence in Bengal, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and Assam, while striving for better results in Kerala,” Nadda said. He added, “I have tried to fulfil my responsibilities to the best of my abilities. If I have unintentionally hurt anyone, I apologise. Nitin Nabin ji will lead this great party to new heights, and we will all support him in every endeavour.”