3 weeks ago
BJP reshuffle sees stronger RSS presence in key organisational positions
A big political group in India called the BJP changed its team of leaders.
The BJP is closely connected to another group called the RSS, which is like its parent organisation.
In the new team, most of the top leaders have worked with the RSS before.
The BJP chose 65 people for important jobs, and 51 of them are new.
Many people think this change is meant to make sure everyone in the party follows the same ideas.
The party wants to be ready for elections that are coming soon.
One new leader, Ram Madhav, used to work full-time for the RSS.
Another leader, BL Santhosh, keeps his job as the link between the two groups.
Some people from the old team, like Amit Malviya, are not in the new team.
The RSS and the BJP sometimes disagree, for example about money and trade rules.
The BJP announced an organisational reshuffle of 65 office-bearers, with 51 of them being new appointments.
Eleven of the 14 vice presidents and seven of the eight general secretaries have past associations with the RSS.
Ram Madhav, a former full-time RSS pracharak, was appointed National Vice President.
BL Santhosh was retained as National General Secretary (Organisation), while Sunil Bansal, Vinod Tawde and Satish Poonia were named National General Secretaries.
Amit Malviya was excluded from the new setup, and Deepak Mhaskey was appointed Social Media Head.
- Who
- The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), including leaders such as Ram Madhav and BL Santhosh.
- What
- The BJP announced an organisational reshuffle that brings more RSS-linked leaders into key positions.
- Where
- India.
- When
- Monday (exact date not specified in the article).
- Why
- The move is seen as cultivating ideological discipline ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.
RSS (ideological wing)
BJP (governance wing)
Economic policy
RSS (ideological wing)
RSS advocates 'swadeshi' or economic self-reliance and expressed dissatisfaction with free-market reforms.
BJP (governance wing)
The BJP government pushed for free-market reform, which strained ties with the RSS.
Organisational leadership
RSS (ideological wing)
Inducting more RSS ideologues ensures ideological discipline and more cohesive communication in executing party policies.
BJP (governance wing)
The previous setup under JP Nadda had a fair share of technocrats and turncoats, representing the pure political and governance wing of the party.
Key facts
- Total office-bearers announced
- 65
- New appointees
- 51
- Vice presidents with RSS ties
- 11 of 14
- General secretaries with RSS ties
- 7 of 8
- Key appointments
- Ram Madhav (National Vice President), BL Santhosh (National General Secretary, Organisation), Sunil Bansal, Vinod Tawde, Satish Poonia (National General Secretaries), Deepak Mhaskey (Social Media Head)
- Notable exclusion
- Amit Malviya
- Previous national executive head
- JP Nadda
- Context
- Upcoming assembly elections









