As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national leadership searches for a suitable candidate to head the Andhra Pradesh unit, media speculation is rife about what role outgoing president Daggubati Purandeshwari might be offered next.
Some digital media reports suggest that Purandeshwari is being considered for the post of BJP national president.
This speculation aligns with reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is focusing on expanding the party’s presence in southern states over the next five years and aims to secure a majority of seats from the region.
Although Telangana BJP president and Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy was also speculated to be in the race, sources indicate that he prefers to continue in his ministerial role rather than take up a party position.
This has further fueled speculation that Purandeshwari might be considered for the national BJP president post.
However, there are certain limitations to her elevation.
Purandeshwari lacks a background in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which is expected to have a significant say in this appointment. Additionally, the RSS may not favor appointing a woman as the national president of the BJP.
As a result, her name is now being considered for the position of Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
While this post was initially intended for an NDA ally, changing political equations at the national level suggest that the BJP may now assign it to a leader from the southern states — preferably from within the party.
A decision is expected within the next week. If she is relieved from her current responsibilities due to social and electoral strategy considerations, Purandeshwari is likely to be appointed Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
Her fluency in both Hindi and English, along with her experience in parliamentary affairs, strengthens her candidacy.
