Now Reading: BJP replaces Amit Malviya with Deepak Mhaske as IT cell chief
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BJP replaces Amit Malviya with Deepak Mhaske as IT cell chief
The Story in Brief
The BJP removed Amit Malviya as its IT cell chief on Monday, ending his 11-year run as the party's top social media strategist. He is replaced by Deepak Mhaske, a former Chemistry professor from Chhattisgarh with experience in electoral data analysis, state-level party organisation and public-sector governance.
The Hindu reports that Malviya was seen as unable to respond to the Gen-Z protests, which used mockery and irreverence, and that his team appeared ossified, still using older social media methods. It also notes that BJP president Nitin Nabin wanted his own trusted person in the role, having worked with Mhaske during the 2023 Chhattisgarh polls. Mhaske is expected to bring a more segmentary, rural and tier-two approach to online engagement.
The Economic Times profiles Mhaske's varied background: he holds an MSc in Chemistry, has worked as a professor, in agriculture, road construction and as an independent director of government-owned Engineers India. He also chairs the Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation. His experience collecting and analysing electoral data and government beneficiary scheme information is seen as central to his new role.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The Hindu frames Malviya's exit primarily as a failure to adapt to Gen-Z protest culture and the party president wanting his own team, giving a political-organisational explanation. ET's coverage is biographical and non-political, profiling Mhaske's technical and data skills as the main news, without mentioning any protest or failure. Neither source supports or criticises the government, their difference is one of angle: one focuses on internal party dynamics and electoral communication strategy, the other on the new appointee's credentials. The careful reader can note that the change is explained through two compatible lenses, a strategic shift in messaging approach and a managerial refresh, neither of which contains a judgement on the party's performance. Watch for whether the BJP's social media tone visibly changes under Mhaske in the coming months.
Coverage: 2 sources, 2 neutral
Sources (2): thehindu.com (neutral report), economictimes.indiatimes.com (neutral report)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above. Methodology and corrections.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
