Nishar Mohammed & Vikramaditya
Sri Vijaya Puram, July 01: Veteran BJP leader and long-serving grassroots worker Mr. Anil Kumar Tiwari was unanimously elected today as the new President of the Andaman and Nicobar State BJP Unit.
“This responsibility entrusted to me is dedicated to the development of this Mini India — the Andaman and Nicobar Islands,” said Mr. Tiwari in his first address after assuming office, speaking at a grand event in Sri Vijaya Puram attended by hundreds of party workers and senior leaders.
The announcement was made by Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, BJP’s National Returning Officer and former Governor of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, marking the conclusion of the BJP’s nine-month-long “Sangathan Parv”, a nation-wide organisational strengthening campaign.
Welcoming the gathering, Mr. M. Vinod, State Vice President and Returning Officer, said, “This is a proud day for BJP Andaman. Mr. Anil Kumar Tiwari has served the party selflessly since the 1990s, when the BJP was just taking root in these islands. His election completes the final leg of our Sangathan Parv, which strictly followed central party guidelines.”
The event witnessed participation from senior leaders, district functionaries, mandal representatives, and grassroots booth-level workers — all calling it a “historic day” for the BJP in the Islands.
Mr. Tiwari’s election was uncontested, a proof to his deep-rooted credibility, long-standing dedication, and widespread acceptance among party cadres. In an emotional tribute, he remembered three key departed leaders who shaped his political journey — former State Presidents Late Linga Velu, Late Hari Narayan Arora, and Late R. Mohan.
He also expressed heartfelt gratitude to former State Presidents Mr. Ajay Bairagi, Mr. Vishal Jolly, and sitting Member of Parliament Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, crediting them for laying the ideological and organisational foundation of the BJP in the Islands.
In his speech, Mr. Tiwari emphasized the centrality of grassroots workers.
“Whether someone joined the party yesterday or has been here for 35 years, anyone who strengthens the BJP can rise to positions of great responsibility — just like I have. I will continue working tirelessly for them,” he declared.
Outlining his roadmap, he promised to work shoulder-to-shoulder with MP Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray on key development projects across the Islands, focusing on inclusive growth and connectivity.
As part of the announcement, the BJP also expanded its representation at the national level. The number of National Council Members from the Islands was increased from one to three, with Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, Mr. Ajay Bairagi, and Mr. Vishal Jolly named as the new appointees.
In a symbolic ceremony, Mr. Ajay Bairagi handed over the BJP flag to Tiwari, marking the official transfer of leadership. The gesture was met with loud applause, affirming the unity and support for the new president.
State Returning Officer Mr. Mohan Vinod was also widely applauded for meticulously executing the nine-month Sangathan Parv across the Islands, including the formation of booth, mandal, and district teams — all leading up to the smooth conclusion of the presidential election.
Mr. Tiwari also used the occasion to pay tribute to Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, BJP National President Mr. JP Nadda, Union Home Minister Mr. Amit Shah, and BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) Mr. BL Santhosh for placing trust in a “small grassroots worker” and giving him such a major responsibility in the world’s largest political party.
He thanked numerous fellow workers for motivating him to take up the leadership mantle, notably Mr. L. Moorthy, Mrs. Sheela Singh, Mr. Sanjay Kumar Singh, and Mr. Ramdas, who supported him in the final leg of the nomination process.
Ending his speech on a note of commitment, Mr. Tiwari pledged to ensure BJP’s ideology and development agenda reaches every corner of the Islands.
