Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh)

Himachal Pradesh Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Jairam Thakur on Wednesday slammed Congress for raising questions on the new BJP President, Nitin Nabin.

Thakur, speaking to ANI, criticised the Congress's internal democracy and highlighted the BJP's democratic process.

"BJP is the world's largest party. Despite this, a democratic electoral process is followed at every level, including the national presidency. But in the Congress party, three members of one family make all decisions. They are in no position to raise any questions at the BJP...," Thakur said while extending his greetings to BJP's new president Nitin Nabin, saying that "the party will get more strength under his guidance."

Earlier on Tuesday, Congress MP Manickam Tagore launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party following Nitin Nabin taking charge as the party's president, alleging that the BJP lacks internal democracy and is run in an authoritative manner.

Reacting to the development, Tagore claimed that key decisions in the BJP are taken only by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Tagore further alleged that the BJP leadership was sidelining its own cadre and concentrating power at the top.

"There is no democracy in the BJP, only HM Amit Shah and PM Modi take the decisions, and they have proved it again... What is the work of the returning officer when there is no election? We hold elections in Congress, and Mallikarjun Kharge and Shashi Tharoor were candidates, and voting took place. This is called democracy. PM Modi and Amit Shah want to take over the role of all the workers... BJP is an authoritative party and moving towards dictatorship," he said.

Meanwhile, Nitin Nabin, who assumed the charge as the 12th and youngest national president of the Bharatiya Janata Party, will chair his first office bearers meeting today at the party headquarters in the national capital.

The new BJP chief is set to review the party's strategy and programs for these crucial polls in the meeting. The meeting will also focus on organisational development and other key initiatives.

Nabin appointed election observers and in-charges for the forthcoming elections in various states on Tuesday.

Nitin Nabin has assumed charge as national president of the ruling party at a crucial juncture, as the BJP aims to win the five upcoming state elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Assam, and Kerala.

BJP's National General Secretary Vinod Tawde has been appointed the election incharge for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections, while Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje has been named the election co-in-charge. Tawde has also been given the additional responsibility of serving as an Election Observer for the Chandigarh Mayor Election.

For the Greater Bengaluru Corporation election, the party has appointed former national general secretary Ram Madhav as the election incharge, while former Rajasthan state president Satish Poonia and member of the Maharashtra legislative assembly Sanjay Upadhyay as election co-in-charges.

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Ahead of the Telangana Municipal and Corporation elections, the BJP has announced three appointments. Ashish Shelar, minister in the Maharashtra government, will serve as the election incharge, while former Rajasthan state president Ashok Parnami and Rajya Sabha MP Rekha Sharma will serve as the Election co-in-charges.