Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Malviya's BJP IT Cell Tenure: Expansion, Disinformation, Legal Battles
Amit Malviya is a person who ran a big group for a political party in India called the BJP.
His group was called the IT cell, and it worked on the internet and social media.
During the time he was in charge, the group grew very big.
A newspaper called The Washington Post wrote about the group.
The newspaper said the group had about 150,000 people working on social media.
These workers often shared messages through an app called WhatsApp.
Some people say the group helped the BJP win a big election in 2014.
Other people said the group shared false information, which is called disinformation.
Because of this, Amit Malviya's time as leader had many arguments and even legal problems.
The group's work both helped his party and caused a lot of controversy.
Amit Malviya led a massive expansion of the BJP's IT cell during his tenure as its head.
A Washington Post report described a network of around 1.5 lakh social media workers, often coordinated via WhatsApp groups.
Malviya's stint was marked by controversies and accusations of spreading misinformation and disinformation.
Some credited the IT cell with playing a significant part in the BJP's landslide victory in the 2014 general election.
Malviya also served as the party's co-in-charge for West Bengal.
- Who
- Amit Malviya, head of the BJP's IT cell and the party's co-in-charge for West Bengal.
- What
- His tenure saw a massive expansion of the BJP's IT cell alongside controversies, accusations of spreading misinformation and disinformation, and legal battles.
- When
- During his tenure, which included the period around the 2014 general election.
- Where
- India, involving BJP operations including West Bengal.
- Why
- The IT cell was credited by some with contributing to the BJP's 2014 landslide victory, while its operations drew accusations of disinformation.
Critics
Supporters
Disinformation accusations
Critics
Malviya's tenure was marked by accusations of spreading misinformation and disinformation through the network, often via WhatsApp groups.
Supporters
Under Malviya's leadership the IT cell expanded massively and was credited by some with playing a significant part in the BJP's 2014 landslide victory.
Legacy of the IT cell
Critics
The operations were controversial and ultimately led to legal battles over the alleged disinformation.
Supporters
The IT cell was a key contributor to the party's electoral success during his tenure.
- Individual
- Amit Malviya
- Role
- BJP IT Cell Head; Co-in-charge for West Bengal
- Party
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
- Reported network size
- Around 1.5 lakh social media workers
- Coordination platform
- WhatsApp groups
- Key reported event
- BJP's landslide victory in the 2014 general election
- Reporting source
- The Washington Post