Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Amit Malviya Replaced As BJP IT Cell Chief By Mhaskey
A man named Amit Malviya had a very big job in a political party called the BJP.
He was in charge of everything the party did on the internet, like social media.
After eleven years, he is leaving that job.
Another person, Deepak Mhaskey, will now do it instead.
The party's leader, Nitin Nabin, announced the change on a Monday.
Some people thought Mr. Malviya was being pushed out because the party was worried about young people liking other parties online.
But party leaders said no, and that he had wanted a new job for a long time.
They also said the party needs people from different states and communities in different roles.
Mr. Malviya helped the BJP win elections in a place called West Bengal for the first time, and everyone says he did a great job.
He does not have a new role yet, but he might get one later.
Amit Malviya has been replaced as head of the BJP's IT and social media cell by Deepak Mhaskey from Chhattisgarh, as party chief Nitin Nabin unveiled the new national organisational team on Monday.
BJP sources deny speculation that the change reflects poor performance amid the 'Gen Z' movement or Congress competition on social media, saying Malviya repeatedly asked to be relieved, including after the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Caste and regional equations shaped the reshuffle: Malviya, a Brahmin from Uttar Pradesh, was not accommodated as General Secretary, with Harish Dwivedi getting that role to ensure Brahmin representation.
Malviya's performance as co-in-charge of West Bengal for the past six years was praised after the BJP won the state this year for the first time, beating Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress.
The new team faces the challenge of engaging Gen Z; BJP follower counts on X, Facebook and YouTube (roughly 23 million, 16 million and 6.3 million) still dwarf the Congress, and Malviya's future role remains undecided.
- Who
- Amit Malviya, who led the BJP's IT and social media cell since 2015, and his successor Deepak Mhaskey; the change was announced by party chief Nitin Nabin.
- What
- Malviya was replaced as IT and social media cell chief in a reshuffle of the BJP's national organisational team.
- When
- The new team was unveiled on Monday; the articles do not specify an exact date.
- Where
- India — within the BJP's national organisation, involving figures connected to West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
- Why
- According to party sources, Malviya himself wanted to step down and caste-regional considerations shaped the reshuffle; speculation about Gen Z competition was denied.
Critics and outside observers
BJP sources and supporters
Reason for Malviya's exit
Critics and outside observers
The removal is seen as a response to the 'Gen Z' movement and stiff competition from Congress and other opposition parties on social media.
BJP sources and supporters
BJP sources deny such claims as superficial; they say Malviya himself had repeatedly asked to be relieved over the years and the reshuffle reflects deeper organisational, caste and regional factors.
Malviya's record as IT cell chief
Critics and outside observers
Opponents accuse him of orchestrating systematic social media attacks against leaders of rival parties.
BJP sources and supporters
BJP leaders say Malviya admirably projected the party and government's narrative while blunting opposition attacks, and his work as co-in-charge of West Bengal, where the BJP won this year, is considered highly commendable.
- Outgoing IT cell chief
- Amit Malviya (held role since 2015, about 11 years)
- New IT cell chief
- Deepak Mhaskey (from Chhattisgarh)
- Party president
- Nitin Nabin
- Malviya's other role
- Co-in-charge of West Bengal for six years
- BJP vs Congress X followers
- About 23 million vs about 11 million
- BJP vs Congress Facebook followers
- About 16 million vs about 6.7 million
- BJP vs Congress YouTube subscribers
- About 6.3 million vs about 4.8 million
- New team's main challenge
- Winning over and engaging Gen Z