Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 6 July publicly praised Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President Nitin Nabin, lauding his simplicity, conduct, and moral character at a time when the Opposition — particularly the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) — had launched a sharp political attack on the newly elevated party chief. Modi shared a post by a journalist who had been Nabin's college friend, framing it as a matter of pride for every BJP worker.

The Post That Sparked Modi's Praise

The journalist's post recalled Nabin's student life in Delhi beginning in 1998, when both moved to the capital for higher studies after their Class 12 examinations. Despite being the son of a sitting Bihar MLA, Nabin reportedly never leveraged his political background for privileges. According to the journalist, the two shared a modest room in IP Extension, Patparganj, where Nabin operated on a strict monthly budget of ₹2,000 to cover rent, food, and college expenses.

The post described how Nabin and his friends split a ₹20 meal to save money, commuted on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses, and shared household chores including cooking breakfast and washing utensils. The journalist characterised Nabin as 'disciplined, friendly, and unassuming, never flashy' — a description Modi chose to amplify.

'This simplicity and straightforwardness is a matter of pride for every BJP worker,' Modi wrote while sharing the post.

The Political Flashpoint: AAP vs BJP

Modi's endorsement came against the backdrop of an escalating political exchange between the BJP and AAP over allegations of donation theft. Speaking at a BJP programme in Lucknow, Nabin had said, 'Today, I want to tell Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, and Kejriwal that do not consider the Hindu religion so weak that people will fall for your rhetoric.'

AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal responded dismissively with 'Who are you?' — a retort that drew sharp reactions from BJP leaders across the board.

BJP Leaders Hit Back at Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched a pointed counter-attack on Kejriwal, saying his remarks reflected 'frustration and desperation.' In a post on X, Gupta introduced Nabin's credentials at length, writing: 'Mr Arvind Kejriwal, Mr Nitin Nabin, aged 46, is the youngest-ever national president of the world's largest political party, the Bharatiya Janata Party. He has had the honour of representing the Bankipur Assembly constituency in Bihar for four consecutive terms. Starting as an activist in the Yuva Morcha, he has journeyed all the way to becoming the party's national president. Currently, he has been elected as a member of the upper house of Parliament in the world's largest democracy. This is a brief introduction to him.'

She added: 'Everyone knows you're feeling desperate and disheartened. But it seems your ego is still riding high in the seventh heaven!'

Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma, who defeated Kejriwal in the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, also weighed in, taunting the AAP chief: 'National President is a very big deal, but do you even remember me or not?'

Who Is Nitin Nabin

At 46, Nabin is reportedly the youngest-ever national president of the BJP, having risen through the ranks of the party's youth wing, the Yuva Morcha. He has represented the Bankipur constituency in Bihar for four consecutive assembly terms and is currently a member of the Rajya Sabha. His elevation to the top party post has made him an immediate target for Opposition criticism, even as the BJP has rallied around him.

What This Exchange Signals

The episode underscores how BJP is choosing to frame Nabin's narrative — not through policy or political record, but through a character-first approach rooted in his modest origins. This comes amid a broader BJP effort to project its leadership as grounded and accessible, contrasting with what the party describes as the AAP's increasingly defensive posture following its losses in the 2025 Delhi elections.