New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has appointed a new leader to head its social media department, one of the party’s main tools for political communication.
Party President Nitin Nabin announced the BJP’s new team on Monday (August 17), naming 58-year-old Deepak Mhaske as the new social media head. The BJP has also announced new presidents for seven of its organisational fronts. He replaced Amit Malviya, who had held the position for more than a decade. Hemang Joshi has been appointed president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, replacing Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya.
Earlier reporting noted: Born in 1968, Deepak Mhaskey holds an MSc in Chemistry, a diploma in cement technology, and a certification in computer programming.
“Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation Limited Chairman Deepak Mhaske ji on being appointed as the BJP’s social media convenor,” he said. He began his career as a college Chemistry professor before moving into agriculture, with more than three decades of experience in horticulture and organic farming, according to his profile submitted to Engineers India Limited (EIL). Earlier reporting noted: Mhaskey is said to have a particular interest in data accumulation and analysis, especially electoral data and government beneficiary schemes. His profile on EIL says that reports he prepared have been submitted to and used by both private and government agencies.
His new responsibility will put him at the centre of the BJP’s digital communication at a time when social media has become one of the party’s most important tools for reaching voters, responding to opponents and setting the political agenda. He was also given the status of a minister of state. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai congratulated him on his new role. His tenure as AMU vice-chancellor also coincided with protests on the campus against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC). The police entered the campus for the first time during those protests, and Mansoor faced criticism over his handling of the situation. The BJP has also made changes in several important organisational positions. Union Minister Piyush Goyal has been appointed national treasurer. He replaced Rajesh Agarwal. BL Santosh will continue as the party’s national general secretary. He also briefly worked in road construction.
Last year, he was appointed chairman of the Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation Limited, a state agency responsible for procuring and supplying medicines, surgical materials and medical equipment to government hospitals. Earlier reporting noted: Who is Deepak Mhaskey, replacing Amit Malviya as BJP’s new IT cell head? The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday appointed Deepak Mhaskey as its new social media convener as party national president Nitin Nabin rejigged his team to mark a generational shift.
