The BJP replaced national IT cell chief Amit Malviya with Deepak Mhaskey as part of a major organizational reshuffle [1, 2].
This leadership change marks a strategic pivot for the party's digital wing. By installing new leadership, the BJP aims to modernize its online presence to better engage younger demographics and mitigate digital criticism.
The party announced the reshuffle on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024 [3]. Malviya had served as the head of the IT cell for 11 years [4]. His departure ends a long tenure defined by the party's aggressive expansion across social media platforms.
Party officials said the move was necessary to bring in fresh ideas [5]. The decision follows Gen Z protests and online backlash that the party said exposed gaps in its current social-media outreach [5, 6].
Beyond the top leadership change, the party expanded its regional digital oversight. The reshuffle included the appointment of four state coordinators [6]. These roles are intended to streamline communication between the national office and state-level digital teams.
The transition comes as the party evaluates its ability to counter online narratives. While Malviya oversaw the initial build-up of the party's digital infrastructure, the current leadership believes a different approach is required to handle modern online backlash [6].
“The BJP replaced national IT cell chief Amit Malviya with Deepak Mhaskey.”
The removal of a long-standing figure like Malviya suggests the BJP views its previous digital playbook as insufficient for the current political climate. By specifically citing Gen Z protests and outreach gaps, the party is acknowledging a disconnect with younger voters. The appointment of state coordinators indicates a shift toward a more decentralized, localized digital strategy to combat online backlash more effectively.
