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BJP Names Ram Madhav as Uttarakhand In-Charge in Poll-Season Reshuffle

BJP has appointed national vice president Ram Madhav as its Uttarakhand in-charge, with Arvind Menon and Bansuri Swaraj as co-in-charges, as part of a wider rejig of state prabharis ahead of polls.

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Current Summary

According to September 23 reports from Indian Express, The Hindu and Pioneer Edge, the BJP has rejigged its 36 state prabharis ahead of poll-bound states, appointing national vice president Ram Madhav as Uttarakhand in-charge in place of Dushyant Gautam, with Arvind Menon and Lok Sabha MP Bansuri Swaraj replacing Rekha Verma as co-in-charges. A Hindu report confirms via the BJP's official notification that Madhav has been assigned in-charge duties for both Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand simultaneously, effective immediately under an order from party national president Nitin Nabin. Pioneer Edge notes outgoing in-charge Gautam had been drawn into controversy after Urmila Sanwar, estranged wife of a former BJP MLA, linked him to the Ankita Bhandari murder case, and that the reshuffle is significant ahead of Uttarakhand assembly elections expected in February-March 2027, with the BJP seeking a hat-trick of victories. A September 24 report from The Statesman adds that Madhav and his team are set to meet to discuss strategy for both the assembly elections and the October 16 Rajya Sabha election in the state. A separate September 24 report notes that as part of the same broader reshuffle covering 24 appointments nationally, Phanindranath Sharma has been shifted from Haryana to Uttarakhand as State General Secretary (Organisation), a key link between the party's political leadership and its organisational cadre. On September 25, a Pioneer Edge report said the party's state core committee met to discuss Rajya Sabha candidates ahead of the October 16 poll, with roughly two dozen names proposed, including women, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and youth contenders. The panel of up to five final names will be decided by CM Dhami, state president Bhatt and Sharma. The meeting also reviewed assembly election strategy and the party's Seva Sankalp Abhiyan.

What We Know

BJP has appointed Ram Madhav as Uttarakhand in-charge as part of a rejig of 36 state prabharis and co-in-charges.
Arvind Menon and Bansuri Swaraj have been named co-in-charges for Uttarakhand.
The rejig covers several poll-bound states, including Chhattisgarh (Smriti Irani), Punjab and Delhi.
Ram Madhav's name also appeared as in-charge for Tamil Nadu; the party had not clarified whether this is a dual appointment or a clerical error.
A September 23 Hindu report confirms via BJP's official notification that Ram Madhav has been assigned in-charge duties for both Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand simultaneously, effective immediately, under an order from party president Nitin Nabin.
Ram Madhav replaces Dushyant Gautam as Uttarakhand BJP in-charge
Bansuri Swaraj and Arvind Menon replace Rekha Verma as co-in-charges
Outgoing in-charge Dushyant Gautam had earlier been linked by Urmila Sanwar to the Ankita Bhandari murder case controversy
The reshuffle comes ahead of Uttarakhand assembly elections expected in February-March 2027
Ram Madhav and his team plan to meet to discuss BJP strategy for Uttarakhand's assembly and Rajya Sabha elections.
Phanindranath Sharma has been shifted from Haryana to Uttarakhand as State General Secretary (Organisation), part of a wider set of 24 BJP organisational appointments nationally.
The BJP state core committee met Friday to discuss Rajya Sabha candidates for the seat held by outgoing MP Naresh Bansal, ahead of the October 16 election.
About two dozen names were proposed, including women, SC, ST and youth candidates.
A panel of up to five final names will be decided by CM Dhami, state president Mahendra Prasad Bhatt and state general secretary (organisation) Phanindra Nath Sharma.

What Is Still Unclear

Whether Ram Madhav's appointment for both Uttarakhand and Tamil Nadu is intentional or an error.
The effective date of the Uttarakhand appointment.
How the change will affect BJP's organisational strategy in Uttarakhand ahead of elections.

What Changed

25 Sept, 06:32 pm
The BJP state core committee met Friday to discuss potential Rajya Sabha candidates ahead of the October 16 election, with the task of finalising a panel of up to five names handed to CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, state president Mahendra Prasad Bhatt and state general secretary (organisation) Phanindra Nath Sharma, who was formally welcomed into the committee. The meeting also reviewed assembly election strategy and the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan.
25 Sept, 12:31 am
In the same broader BJP organisational reshuffle, Phanindranath Sharma has been shifted from Haryana to Uttarakhand as State General Secretary (Organisation), part of 24 appointments announced across states as the party prepares its cadre machinery ahead of the 2027 assembly election cycle.
24 Sept, 05:01 pm
According to a September 24 report, newly appointed Uttarakhand BJP in-charge Ram Madhav and his team are set to meet to discuss strategy for both the state's upcoming assembly elections and the October 16 Rajya Sabha election.
23 Sept, 02:42 pm
Pioneer Edge reports Ram Madhav replaces Dushyant Gautam as Uttarakhand BJP in-charge, while Bansuri Swaraj and Arvind Menon replace Rekha Verma as co-in-charges. Gautam had earlier been drawn into controversy after Urmila Sanwar, estranged wife of a former BJP MLA, linked him to the Ankita Bhandari murder case. The report notes the appointment is significant given Uttarakhand assembly elections expected in February-March 2027, with the BJP seeking a third consecutive term.
23 Sept, 01:20 pm
A September 23 report from The Hindu confirms the BJP's official notification appoints party vice-president Ram Madhav as in-charge for both Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand, with the appointments taking effect immediately per an order from BJP national president Nitin Nabin. This resolves earlier uncertainty over whether Madhav's dual listing was intentional or a clerical error.
23 Sept, 11:51 am
Signal detected: BJP Names Ram Madhav as Uttarakhand In-Charge in Poll-Season Reshuffle