BJP replaces Amit Malviya with Deepak Mhaskey as IT Cell chief
Synopsis
After more than eleven years, Amit Malviya's era at the BJP's IT Cell is over. His replacement — Deepak Mhaskey, a Chemistry professor-turned-political organiser from Chhattisgarh — and the appointment of four co-convenors signals a structural overhaul of how India's ruling party manages its formidable digital machine ahead of a busy electoral cycle.
Key Takeaways
The BJP replaced Amit Malviya with Deepak Mhaskey as head of its Social Media / IT Cell on 17 August .
Mhaskey is a political organiser from Chhattisgarh and a former Chemistry professor .
Four social media co-convenors named: Priti Gandhi , Shivanand Dwivedi , Alok Bhatt , and Arun Yadav .
Malviya served as BJP IT Cell chief for over eleven years , spanning two general election victories.
All appointments took effect immediately as part of a broader national office-bearer reshuffle.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday, 17 August replaced Amit Malviya as head of its IT Cell with Deepak Mhaskey, a political organiser from Chhattisgarh, as part of a sweeping reshuffle of national office-bearers. The appointments took effect immediately.
Key Appointments in the Reshuffle
Alongside Mhaskey's elevation to lead the BJP Social Media Department, the party named four social media co-convenors: Priti Gandhi, Shivanand Dwivedi, Alok Bhatt, and Arun Yadav. The full list of new national office-bearers was announced earlier in the day.
Who Is Deepak Mhaskey
Mhaskey has been associated with the BJP's Chhattisgarh unit for several years and previously served as a Chemistry professor before turning to political organising. His appointment signals the party's intent to bring in grassroots organisational experience to its digital operations.
Malviya's Eleven-Year Tenure
Malviya served as the BJP IT Cell chief for over a decade — a period that coincided with the party's dramatic expansion across social media platforms and two consecutive general election victories. Congratulating the new appointees, Malviya said their appointments come 'at a crucial juncture as the party prepares to scale newer heights and take its message and organisation to every corner of the country.'
In a personal note to his successor, Malviya said: 'I wish to particularly congratulate Shri Deepak Mhaskey ji, who will be taking over from me as the head of the BJP's Social Media Department, and the co-conveners Smt. Priti Gandhi ji, Shri Shivanand Dwivedi ji, Shri Alok Bhatt ji and Shri Arun Yadav ji.'
Malviya's Message to BJP's Digital Community
Signing off from his role, Malviya addressed the party's online support base directly: 'A BIG THANK YOU to the BJP's massive support base on social media, a community brimming with commitment, energy and ideas. This family has stayed together through thick and thin and played a decisive role in reshaping India's public discourse.' He added that over his eleven years at the helm, interactions with supporters 'will always remain special.'
Malviya expressed confidence that under the new leadership, the BJP's digital communication will 'achieve newer milestones and continue to shape India's public discourse with conviction, creativity and clarity.' He also noted that 'India is poised to scale even greater heights under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji and the BJP.'
What This Means for BJP's Digital Strategy
The reshuffle comes as the BJP looks ahead to a packed electoral calendar. Bringing in a Chhattisgarh-based organiser to lead the national digital apparatus suggests a possible shift toward deeper regional outreach rather than purely metro-centric social media strategy. The four co-convenors alongside Mhaskey indicate a more distributed leadership structure than the single-chief model Malviya helmed.
Point of View
Rather than a tech-industry insider or a metro-based digital strategist, is a deliberate signal: the BJP believes its next phase of digital growth lies in vernacular, ground-level mobilisation rather than English-language Twitter wars. The four-co-convenor structure also distributes accountability in a way that makes the department harder to personalise — and harder to blame if things go wrong. Whether Mhaskey can replicate, let alone expand, what Malviya built remains the central question.
NationPress
17 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has replaced Amit Malviya as BJP IT Cell chief?
Deepak Mhaskey, a political organiser from Chhattisgarh and former Chemistry professor, has replaced Amit Malviya as the head of the BJP's Social Media Department. The appointment was announced on 17 August as part of a broader national office-bearer reshuffle.
How long did Amit Malviya lead the BJP IT Cell?
Amit Malviya served as the BJP IT Cell chief for over eleven years. His tenure spanned the party's rise to digital dominance and coincided with two consecutive general election victories.
Who are the new BJP social media co-convenors?
The BJP has named Priti Gandhi, Shivanand Dwivedi, Alok Bhatt, and Arun Yadav as social media co-convenors alongside new chief Deepak Mhaskey.
What did Amit Malviya say on being replaced?
Malviya congratulated the new appointees, saying their appointments come 'at a crucial juncture as the party prepares to scale newer heights.' He also thanked the BJP's social media support base, calling them 'an incredible source of strength' over his eleven years at the helm.
Why is the BJP IT Cell reshuffle significant?
The BJP's IT Cell has been central to its digital communication strategy for over a decade. Replacing Malviya with a regional organiser and introducing a multi-convenor structure signals a possible shift toward broader, grassroots-driven digital outreach ahead of upcoming state and national elections.
