Amit Shah to be named BJP chief today

New Delhi: The BJP’s highest decision-making body, its parliamentary board, is expected to meet on Wednesday to announce the name of its new party chief. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s close associate, Amit Shah, is likely to be named to succeed current party president Rajnath Singh. Mr Singh, who is now Union home minister, is likely to be named the deputy leader of the Lok Sabha.

Once considered very close to BJP veteran L K Advani, the saffron party's general secretary Amitbhai Anilchandra ‘Amit’ Shah became a close confidant of BJP’s PM candidate Narendra Modi.

Shah was the minister of state for home affairs in the Gujarat government under Narendra Modi, but had to resign in 2010 after he was arrested on charges of ordering a series of encounter killings by the state police.

Shah, who has also worked as a RSS volunteer, is well known for his organisational skill.

Born in 1964 in Bombay, Shah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry. He had once worked as a stockbroker as well.

Sources said the move is aimed quelling speculation about who is “No. 2” in the BJP-led NDA government and who will take charge in Mr Modi’s absence.

Sources said that last week the BJP sent Speaker Sumitra Mahajan a proposal to name Mr Singh as deputy leader of the LS. Though the position is not a parliamentary position, it is the ruling party’s discretion to create such a post, but only after getting the Speaker’s go-ahead.   

With most of its senior leaders accommodated in the Modi government, the saffron party will witness major organisational changes. The new party chief will also appoint his team, which is expected to see some “new faces” and adequate representation from states. Speculation is rife that RSS leader Ram Madhav, who has been deputed to the saffron party, might be made a party general secretary.

Another RSS leader, Shiv Prakash, deputed to the party, might get a key role in the revamped party.