Although the BJP often springs surprises in major selections or decisions, sources have indicated that the names of eight Union Ministers and three others are currently being considered as probable candidates in the race.

Union Ministers Dharamendra Pradhan, Manohar Lal Khattar, Bhupender Yadav, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Pralhad Joshi, Nitin Gadkari, and G. Kishan Reddy are said to be doing the rounds in political corridors within the Saffron Party.

Apart from them, Andhra Pradesh BJP chief Daggubati Purandeswari, Vanathi Srinivasan (BJP Mahila Morcha), Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, Dr Dileep Jaiswal (Bihar), Sunil Bansal, Tarun Chugh, and Vinod Tawde are also featuring in discussions.

Sources said that the new party president is almost sure to be elected before the commencement of the Monsoon session, which is scheduled from July 21 to August 12.

"It is believed that the consent of RSS, which is an ideological mentor to BJP, would also be considered on forming a consensus on any candidate to be elected as successor to JP Nadda", said a BJP source.