The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Telangana has announced senior leader and former MLC Naraparaju Ramachander Rao as its new state president, succeeding Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy. The decision comes as the party prepares for upcoming local body elections and aims to strengthen its organizational structure ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections.
Ramachander Rao, a seasoned politician and advocate with over four decades of association with the BJP, emerged as the sole candidate to file a nomination for the post, according to reliable sources. His appointment is seen as a strategic move to leverage his clean image, seniority, and strong ties with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
A prominent figure from the Brahmin community, Rao is expected to consolidate the party’s base in urban areas and northern Telangana, where the BJP has made significant electoral gains in recent years.
The election process, initially set for July 1, was anticipated to be a historic event, marking the first time in three decades that the Telangana BJP might have conducted a formal poll for the state president’s post. However, with only Rao filing his nomination, the process concluded without a contest. Around 150 members, including state council members and district presidents, were expected to participate in the election had it proceeded.
Rao, who served as a Member of the Telangana Legislative Council (MLC) from 2015 to 2021, is known for his long-standing commitment to the party. A former state spokesperson and general secretary for undivided Andhra Pradesh, he has been a key figure in the BJP’s growth in Telangana. His legal background and prior roles in the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the Bar Council of India further bolster his credentials.
Party insiders suggest that Rao’s appointment reflects the BJP’s intent to balance ideological rigor with organizational stability. “Ramachander Rao’s leadership is expected to galvanize the cadre and strengthen our outreach, particularly among graduates and urban voters,” a senior BJP leader said. His selection also aligns with the party’s strategy to counter the Congress and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in Telangana, where caste dynamics and community representation play a significant role.
The outgoing president, G. Kishan Reddy, who also serves as the Union Minister of Coal and Mines, had been at the helm since July 2023.