The BJP has a new person at the helm of its national social media team.
Deepak Mhaske has been appointed the party’s new social media convener, replacing Amit Malviya as part of BJP president Nitin Nabin’s new national organisational team.
Malviya, who had been closely associated with the BJP’s digital and social media operations, also publicly congratulated the new team. In a post on X, he said Mhaske would be taking over from him as the head of the BJP’s social media department.
So, who is Deepak Mhaske?
Who Is Deepak Mhaske?
Mhaske is a BJP leader from Raipur, Chhattisgarh, with a long association with the party’s digital operations.
According to The Indian Express, the 58-year-old has around 15 years of experience in the BJP’s IT and social media cell. He has also worked on social media campaigns during Assembly elections in Bihar, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal.
His appointment puts someone with years of experience in the party’s digital organisation in charge of its national social media operation.
Mhaske Has Worked On Election Campaigns
Mhaske has been involved in the BJP’s social media campaigns across multiple states.
Reports say he worked on campaigns in Bihar, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, where the BJP went on to record electoral victories. That does not mean he was solely responsible for those outcomes, but it does point to his experience in the party’s election-focused digital machinery.
He has also worked at the state level in Chhattisgarh, where he previously served as a BJP spokesperson.
He Has Never Contested An Election
Despite his years in the BJP, Mhaske has never contested an election.
The Indian Express describes him as a first-generation BJP leader. His brother, Tej Pratap Mhaske, is associated with the RSS.
Mhaske's career has largely been centred around organisational and digital work rather than electoral politics.
Mhaske Was A Chemistry Professor
Before his political and organisational career, Mhaske worked as a Professor of Chemistry for several years.
His family is also involved in farming, and he has himself had an interest in agriculture. The Indian Express has reported that he is also interested in data collection, analysis and governance-related work.
Mhaske has also held government-linked positions. He is currently posted with the Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation, with Cabinet Minister of State rank, according to The Indian Express.
What Is Mhaske’s New Role?
As social media convener, Mhaske will head the BJP’s national social media team.
He will be supported by Priti Gandhi, Shivanand Dwivedi, Alok Bhatt and Arun Yadav, who have been appointed social media co-conveners.
The BJP has also appointed Anil Baluni as media coordinator, with Ashish Usha Agarwal, Pradeep Bhandari and Siddharth Yadav as joint coordinators.
The appointments form part of a wider restructuring of the BJP’s national organisation under Nitin Nabin.
TL;DR | News At a Glance
Deepak Mhaske has been appointed the BJP’s new social media convener.
He replaces Amit Malviya, who had been associated with the party’s digital operations for years.
Mhaske is a BJP leader from Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
He has around 15 years of experience in the BJP’s IT and social media operations.
He has worked on the party’s digital campaigns in Bihar, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal.
Mhaske has never contested an election.
What Happens To Amit Malviya?
Malviya does not feature in the BJP’s new social media team announced on August 17.
He had been one of the most recognisable figures associated with the BJP’s digital operations. Following the announcement, however, Malviya congratulated the newly appointed office-bearers and specifically welcomed Mhaske’s new role.
The change marks a new phase for the BJP’s national social media operation, with Mhaske now taking on the role of social media convener.
