Youthful Approach, Not Age, Key to Connecting With Young People: BJP’s BL Santhosh

BL Santhosh Says Youth Connect Is About Mindset, Not Age

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national general secretary (organisation) B. L. Santhosh has emphasised that political leaders do not necessarily have to be young in age to connect effectively with the younger generation.

Speaking in an interview with the RSS-linked weekly Organiser, Santhosh said that a youthful outlook and approach are more important than chronological age when engaging with young people. He cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders as examples of individuals who can connect with younger audiences.

His comments highlight the importance of understanding young people's concerns and communicating with them in ways that reflect their expectations.

BJP Wants to Reinvent Itself Without Losing Its Core Identity

Santhosh also discussed the BJP’s need to adapt to changing political and social circumstances while retaining its ideological and organisational foundations.

He said the party needed to reinvent itself without losing its basic character. According to him, the BJP’s transition from an opposition party to one in government has created new responsibilities and organisational challenges.

He indicated that the party was working on different approaches to governance and organisational development, with the aim of producing results in the coming years.

Gen Z Engagement Gains Political Importance

Santhosh’s remarks come at a time when political parties are paying increasing attention to Gen Z, particularly amid youth-led protests and growing debates over how young people engage with political institutions.

The BJP has been discussing ways to strengthen its outreach to younger citizens and understand their priorities. Issues such as education, employment, governance and political representation have become important areas of discussion in broader debates about youth engagement.

Santhosh’s emphasis on a youthful approach suggests that connecting with younger audiences requires more than appointing young leaders; it also involves adapting communication and organisational practices to changing expectations.

Santhosh Highlights the Role of Organisational Experience

Santhosh also contrasted the BJP’s organisational structure with political systems in which family connections can help individuals reach senior positions at a relatively young age.

He said that reaching the national level in the BJP typically involves years of organisational work. His comments underscored the importance he places on experience, party organisation and sustained involvement in political activities.

The remarks form part of a broader discussion about how the party develops leadership while responding to the demands of a changing political environment.

Why the BJP Is Bringing in Leaders From Outside

Addressing the induction of leaders from other political parties, Santhosh said that newcomers were necessary for organisational growth and freshness.

He acknowledged that people joining the BJP from different political backgrounds might initially have less familiarity with the party’s ideology and working methods. However, he said that meetings, training programmes and organisational camps help newcomers understand the party’s approach.

Santhosh also noted that internal organisational growth alone may not always be sufficient to address immediate challenges. Bringing in new people, he suggested, can help the party expand its capacity and respond to emerging needs.

Focus on Governance and Aspirational Young Indians

Santhosh’s interview also touched on the BJP’s efforts to strengthen links with its elected representatives and grassroots workers.

He highlighted the importance of communication, monitoring organisational activities, providing ideological and administrative training, and encouraging representatives to adopt people-friendly approaches.

He also referred to the party’s interest in engaging with aspirational young Indians, including those returning from abroad. These efforts reflect the organisational challenges involved in maintaining contact with a broad and expanding political network.

What Do Santhosh’s Remarks Mean for Youth Outreach?

Santhosh’s comments place the emphasis on attitude, adaptability and communication rather than age alone. His argument is that leaders can connect with younger citizens when they understand their concerns and adopt approaches that resonate with their experiences.

For political parties, this presents a wider challenge: youth outreach involves not only leadership representation but also the ability to respond to young people's expectations and communicate effectively across generations.

The BJP’s stated focus on organisational reinvention, training and the inclusion of new entrants forms part of its approach to that challenge. The effectiveness of these efforts will depend on how they are implemented and how younger citizens respond.

Key Takeaways

• BJP general secretary (organisation) B. L. Santhosh said youth connect depends on a youthful approach rather than age.

• He made the remarks in an interview with the RSS-linked weekly Organiser.

• Santhosh said the BJP must reinvent itself while preserving its ideological and organisational foundations.

• He highlighted the importance of organisational experience and leadership development.

• He said new entrants can bring freshness and help address organisational needs.

• The interview also discussed youth engagement, governance and communication with aspirational young Indians.