File photo: RSS leader Ram Mahdhav
Ram Madhav, spokesman of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or RSS, has been deputed to join the BJP. The decision, reportedly taken about a month ago, was ratified on Monday at a Sangh meeting. (
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Members of the RSS, which is the ideological mentor of the BJP, often join the political party. The BJP's organizational secretary, Ram Lal, is an RSS man. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in the RSS for many years before joining the BJP. Mr Madhav is the one of the most prominent faces to cross over into active politics. (
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The move is being seen as the Sangh increasing its presence in the BJP to ensure better coordination between the party and the mentor. It's in line with the RSS playing a more hands-on role in the BJP for some years now, as seen in its choosing first Nitin Gadkari and then Rajnath Singh to be party president and orchestrating Mr Modi's elevation in the BJP last year.
Mr Madhav, 49, is expected to be handed an important role in party affairs. Another senior RSS leader Shiv Prakash too had been deputed to the BJP and is also expected to be given organisational responsibility. (
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The BJP will soon get a revamp with a new President and office-holders, with current chief Rajnath Singh and many members of his team being inducted into Mr Modi's council of ministers. The BJP does not allow members to hold two posts. (
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The front runner for the post of BJP president is said to be 50-year-old Amit Shah, Mr Modi's chief aide who scripted a dream win for the BJP in Uttar Pradesh in the general elections this year. Assembly elections are due this year in five key states and the party hopes for a repeat of the recent elections.
Mr Madhav, who is from Andhra Pradesh, took over as RSS spokesman in 2003 and has in that role been one of the most known faces of the RSS in the last few years.
He is a member of the RSS national executive, the organisation's key decision making group of 35.