RSS Veteran Ram Madhav to Lead BJP in J&K: New Era for BJP-RSS Alliance

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is back in action in active politics with Ram Madhav taking the role of poll in-charge of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections. This step can be seen as a clear indication of RSS’s increasing involvement in the BJP’s political affairs.

After a break of almost five years, the Election Commission of India has finally announced the dates for J&K Assembly Elections. According to the official announcement, both the Union Territory and Haryana will hold elections in September, with voting taking place in three phases for the Union Territory.

Who will Lead BJP in J&K?

Following several meetings and discussions with top party leaders, the BJP has appointed Ram Madhav as co-in-charge of the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir elections. He will work alongside G Kishan Reddy, a union minister, and Telangana's party president during the elections. 

This will be the first election in the Union Territory since Jammu and Kashmir was divided in 2019. Before the state's division, Mehbooba Mufti of the PDP served as the Chief Minister.

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Who is Ram Madhav?

Ram Madhav is a veteran RSS leader who played a crucial role in many of the BJP’s quests in various state elections. He played a key role in bringing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to power in Jammu & Kashmir through the 2015 coalition with the PDP.

Madhav was removed from the post of BJP's general secretary in 2020. During his earlier time in the BJP, Ram Madhav was a recognized general secretary who played a key role in expanding the party's presence in the Northeast region, where the party was struggling to register its presence.

Ram Madhav returned to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in the year 2021, where he became an executive member of the Hindutva organization. Madhav is also the president of the think tank India Foundation and regularly writes opinion pieces in the media. 

Ram Madhav has been out of active politics for the past four years. His return to the BJP suggests a renewed alliance between the BJP and RSS, following a recent rift during the 2024 General Elections.

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