BJP names Smriti Irani general secretary, 13 vice-presidents in new team

The BJP on Monday announced its new national team under party president Nitin Nabin, appointing former Union minister Smriti Irani as a national general secretary with charge of Uttar Pradesh. Piyush Goyal has been named national treasurer, and 13 leaders, including former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia and Ram Madhav, have been appointed national vice-presidents. The Times of India reports that Amit Malviya has been benched from his previous role.

The new team includes eight national general secretaries, with Vinod Tawde, Sunil Bansal, Biplab Kumar Deb, Satish Poonia, Gajendra Patel, Harish Dwivedi and Sanjay Bhatia also in the list. According to the BJP, the appointments provide representation from 23 states and Union territories, with 10 women and six minority community leaders. The party described the team as a blend of administrative and organisational experience, youthfulness and social inclusion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the new office-bearers, expressing confidence they would strengthen the party. BJP president Nitin Nabin said the team would give new momentum to the organisation under Modi's guidance. The reshuffle comes as the party prepares for upcoming political challenges, with Sambit Patra appointed as North-East coordinator and Tarun Chugh as central office in-charge.