New Delhi (TIP)- The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is reportedly considering appointing a woman as its next national president. This decision comes as the party looks to fill the leadership vacuum after JP Nadda’s term ended in January 2023. Nadda was given an extension until June 2024 to guide the party through the then Lok Sabha elections.
Among the leading contenders for the post are Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, former Andhra Pradesh state president D Purandeswari, and Tamil Nadu MLA Vanathi Srinivasan. Per India Today, Sitharaman recently held a meeting with Nadda and General Secretary BL Santhosh at the party headquarters in New Delhi. Her extensive experience and leadership potential make her a strong contender for the position. If appointed, Sitharaman, who was born in the temple town of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, could help the party strengthen its presence in southern India. Her leadership would also represent the party’s support for the proposed 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha.
Sitharaman joined the BJP in 2008 and has previously served as defense minister. As the finance minister, she has presented seven straight budgets, including an interim one in February 2024.
Purandeswari, a multilingual leader with cross-party political experience, is another key name in the mix.
She was part of “Operation Sindoor,” a multi-party international delegation. Srinivasan, a lawyer-turned-politician from Tamil Nadu who currently serves as MLA from Coimbatore South, is also being considered for the post. She has held several key roles, including state secretary, general secretary, and vice president of Tamil Nadu, since joining the party in 1993.
The BJP’s ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has backed the idea of appointing a woman to the party’s top post, sources told India Today. This is seen as both a symbolic and strategic move considering women voters have been instrumental in BJP’s victories in recent elections across states like Maharashtra, Haryana, and Delhi.
If the BJP goes ahead with this decision, it will be a historic first for the party.
Dr. Satheesh Kathula: a trailblazer whose impact resonates across multiple sectors of healthcare and community service.
Dr. Satheesh K. Kathula is a distinguished physician, educator, and healthcare leader whose multifaceted contributions to the field of medicine and community health have earned him recognition both in the United States and internationally. With over two decades of experience as a board-certified hematologist and oncologist, coupled with his deep commitment to medical education, public health advocacy, and community service, Dr. Kathula stands as a prominent figure in the American healthcare landscape.
Dr. Kathula has carved out a notable career as a physician. He has been a clinical professor of medicine at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, where he plays a critical role in shaping the next generation of medical professionals. His expertise in hematology and oncology, fields where he has been board-certified since 2002, is a cornerstone of his medical career. Beyond his clinical work, he is a diplomate of the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine (ABLM), a credential that underscores his holistic approach to health that blends conventional medical care with lifestyle interventions aimed at disease prevention and health optimization.
AAPI delegation meeting with India’s Health Minister JP Nadda to promote Family Medicine in India , emphasize on prevention of cancer and heart attacks during AAPI Global Healthcare Summit in New Delhi.
Dr. Kathula’s dedication to advancing medical knowledge is reflected in his ongoing involvement in scholarship. He has authored numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and contributed to several book chapters, making a meaningful impact on the global medical community. His deep interest in the intersection of healthcare and technology has also led him to engage in cutting-edge research on the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare through programs at Stanford University, and to earn a degree in Global Healthcare Leaders Program at Harvard University, both of which further demonstrate his commitment to staying at the forefront of medical advancements and innovation.
Dr. Satheesh Kathula is receiving Daniel Bluementhal Award on behalf of AAPI in Washington DC from American College of Preventive Medicine
Dr. Kathula’s leadership extends far beyond the clinic and classroom. As the President of the American Association of Physicians from Indian Origin (AAPI) for the 2024-2025 term, Dr. Kathula is at the helm of one of the most prominent professional organizations representing physicians of Indian descent in the United States. His role is a culmination of years of dedicated service to the organization, having served in various capacities such as Regional Director, Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President, and President-elect. Under his leadership, AAPI has seen significant strides in promoting health advocacy, community service, and the professional development of its members.
Dr. Satheesh Kathula conceptualized and organized a successful 18th AAPI Global Healthcare Summit in New Delhi, India in October, 2024
Dr. Kathula’s impact on the global healthcare community was underscored by his conceptualization and organization of the AAPI Global Health Summit in New Delhi, India. The summit, which focused on prevention of cancer and heart attacks, is a testament to his ability to bring together thought leaders and healthcare professionals to address pressing global health issues. He also played a pivotal role as the Chair of the Oncology Track at the Indo-US Health Summit in Hyderabad, India, from 2012 through 2019, where he facilitated discussions on cutting-edge cancer treatment and prevention strategies.
As a founding chairman of the Pathfinder Institute of Pharmacy Education and Research Center, Dr. Kathula helped establish an educational institution that has educated over 1,000 pharmacists who are now making significant contributions to the global healthcare workforce. His dedication to education and professional development within the medical community is further evidenced by his tenure as the Editor of the AAPI Newsletter, a position that allowed him to foster communication and collaboration among members.
Dr. Kathula’s influence extends far beyond the walls of hospitals and universities. He has long been an advocate for community service, having held leadership roles in several organizations that serve the Indian-American community and broader society. As the President of the Miami Valley Association of Physicians from India and the Association of Indian Physicians from Ohio, he has worked tirelessly to enhance the visibility and influence of Indian-American physicians, while also creating programs to serve the broader community.
Lifetime Achievement Award for volunteer services from US President Joe Biden, receiving from Senator Joe Manchin
His community service efforts are particularly notable in his role as the President of the Hindu Community Organization (HCO) in Dayton, Ohio, where he was instrumental in raising $3.5 million for the construction of an Indian Community Hall. Furthermore, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Kathula was at the forefront of a fundraising initiative through AAPI, raising $5.2 million to support healthcare and community services during a time of unprecedented need in India.
Beyond financial contributions, Dr. Kathula has also led efforts to provide direct healthcare services through medical camps and seminars in both the U.S. and India. These initiatives have provided invaluable access to healthcare for underserved populations and demonstrated his unwavering commitment to addressing health disparities globally.
Dr. Kathula’s tireless work in medicine and community service has not gone unnoticed. He is the proud recipient of several prestigious awards, including the US Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023-2024, an honor that recognizes his outstanding contributions to society. Additionally, he was named Man of the Year by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Ohio chapter, in 2018 for his outstanding contributions to cancer care and advocacy. He recently was given The Inspiration Award by RAYWA foundation for his inspiring contribution to the field of oncology and healthcare as a leader.
Dr. Kathula received The Inspiration Award from RAYWA Foundation
He has also received the Hind Rattan (Jewel of India) Award in 2010, one of the highest honors bestowed on Indians abroad, in recognition of his exceptional service to the Indian diaspora and to global healthcare. In 2010, Dr. Kathula was also honored with the Community Service Award from the India Club of Dayton, reflecting his enduring commitment to giving back to the community.
In addition to his clinical and academic work, Dr. Kathula has explored the intersection of technology and healthcare through his involvement in the development of medical software applications. As a designer of healthcare technology solutions, he is dedicated to improving healthcare delivery and efficiency through the use of innovative digital tools.
His role as Advisor to Pfizer’s Multicultural Center for Excellence underscores his thought leadership in healthcare diversity and equity, and his contributions to expanding access to care for diverse populations. Moreover, Dr. Kathula’s involvement with the Indo-American Eye Organization and other global health initiatives has made him a key figure in the advancement of global healthcare collaboration.
Dr. Kathula is a well-known figure in the media, regularly participating in radio and TV interviews to raise awareness about health issues affecting both the Indian-American community and the broader population. His appearances on platforms such as the BBC and various U.S. media outlets have allowed him to advocate for the importance of preventive healthcare, cancer research, and community health programs.
Dr. Satheesh K. Kathula is a trailblazer whose impact resonates across multiple sectors of healthcare and community service. Whether as a physician, educator, leader, philanthropist, or innovator, his contributions continue to shape the future of medicine and public health on a global scale. With his visionary leadership, commitment to healthcare excellence, and dedication to improving lives, Dr. Kathula exemplifies the ideals of service, compassion, and professional integrity. His legacy of service, both within the medical community and the wider world, stands as an inspiration to future generations of healthcare leaders.
LUCKNOW (TIP): Yogi Adityanath on Friday took oath as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister for the second term at a mega ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and top BJP leaders, including Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and JP Nadda. Chief Ministers of party ruled states and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar were also present on the occasion.
Yogi was sworn in along with 52 ministers, including Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brijesh Pathak as Deputy CMs, all hand-picked by Modi and Shah keeping in mind regional and caste equations and giving representation to all sections.
The Yogi 2.0 council has 16 Cabinet ministers, 14 ministers of state with independent charge and 20 ministers of state. There are 31 new faces in the government. Twenty-four ministers from the first term have been dropped.
While the party has retained top OBC leader Keshav Prasad Maurya despite him losing his seat, several big names, including Deputy CM Dinesh Sharma and cabinet ministers Shrikant Sharma and Sidharth Nath Singh, were dropped.
Shrikant Sharma’s name is, however, doing the rounds for the post of UP state president. The buzz is that after party president JP Nadda completes his term, some names from UP may figure in the organization headed by the new chief.
PM’s close confidante and former bureaucrat AK Sharma has also made it as the UP Cabinet. The inclusion of AK Sharma, an MLC, is an acknowledgement of his handling of the second wave of Covid-19 in Varanasi/Purvanchal region. Among the new ministers are former Uttarakhand Governor Baby Rani Maurya and Jitin Prasad, Brahmin leader who quit the Congress last year. Former police officer Aseem Arun and Kalyan Singh’s grandson Sandeep Singh have been included as ministers of state (independent charge).
Uttarakhand votes for BJP, but CM Dhami loses; BJP to form govt in Goa with Independents, MGP; Adityanath back with higher vote share but fewer seats; AAP wins 92 of 117 seats in Punjab, In Manipur, BJP wins 32 seats in 60-member House
NEW DELHI / NEW YORK (TIP): The BJP retained power in all the four States that it was governing while the Congress lost Punjab to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The AAP said it has emerged as the “natural, national” alternative to the BJP, even as the Congress declined to a new low of just 18 seats in Punjab, 2 in UP, 18 in Uttarakhand, 12 in Goa , and 5 in Manipur.
The BJP held on to power in Uttar Pradesh, where it won two-thirds of the seats (274), compared to three-fourths in 2017. The Samajwadi Party succeeded in improving upon its 2017 performance by bagging 124 seats. The BJP’s vote share though increased in U.P., Goa and Manipur. The party conclusively won Uttarakhand, and won enough seats to retain power in Manipur and Goa — three States where its main rival was the Congress. “This is a seal of approval by the people for the BJP’s pro-poor, proactive governance,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the party headquarters on Thursday, March 10 evening. “We will learn from this,” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi posted on Twitter. In U.P., the Samajwadi Party doubled its 2017 tally but fell far short of a majority, in the second consecutive Assembly election defeat under the leadership of Akhilesh Yadav, who did not comment on the results. His call for a coalition of Ambedkarites and Samajwadis — a euphemism for Dalits and Other Backward Classes — had takers as the increase in SP’s vote share shows, but nowhere enough to dislodge the BJP. Bolstered by Hindutva, welfarism, and expansive accommodation of OBCs and Dalits, the BJP stayed ahead of the SP across all regions of the State.
Swami Prasad Maurya, an OBC leader who switched from the BJP to the SP on the eve of the elections lost his own seat; in west U.P., the SP’s alliance with the Rashtriya Lok Dal dented the BJP but only marginally. “This is a victory of nationalism and good governance,” Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath told an ecstatic crowd at the party office in Lucknow, concluding his speech with calls of “Jai Shriram”.
In Punjab, the AAP harnessed the resentment against the Congress and the Akali Dal that have been alternating in power, to build a decisive momentum that won it 92 of the 117 seats in the State. The Congress won 18 and the BJP two, which is as many as what the Congress won in U.P.
AAP with 92 seats has created history as never before has a single party in Punjab won as many seats. The highest number of 93 seats was once won by the coalition of SAD and BJP.
“This is a revolution,” AAP founder and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said. “First this revolution happened in Delhi, then in Punjab and it will now happen all over country,” he said.
Party leader Raghav Chadha said Mr. Kejriwal would become the Prime Minister of the country one day. The AAP will have two Chief Ministers now- one in Delhi and another in Punjab which is as many as what the Congress has.
The Congress’s last minute efforts to rescue its fortunes in Punjab, which elected one-fifths of its Lok Sabha members, through a leadershipchange that brought Charanjit Singh Channi at the helm did not bear fruit. The party’s halfhearted attempt to profit from his Dalit identity appears to have alienated dominant social groups such as Jatt Sikhs. Mr. Channi lost both seats that he contested.
The father-son duo that helms the SAD — Sukhbir Singh Badal and Prakash Singh Badal — both former CMs, lost their seats, even as the party finished with just four seats in its second consecutive rout. Mr. Modi said the voters have punished dynastic parties, referring to the setbacks to the SP, RLD, SAD and the Congress, all controlled by particular families for generations.
(With inputs from agencies)
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