The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced a significant leadership change within its digital communication apparatus, appointing Deepak Mhaskey as the new head of its influential IT cell. This appointment effectively replaces Amit Malviya, who had served as the party's social media chief for over a decade. The reshuffle in the national BJP team was officially declared on Monday by Nitin Nabin, signaling a strategic adjustment in the party's approach to online engagement.

Deepak Mhaskey, who now assumes this pivotal digital leadership position, brings an academic background to the role, according to information provided by BJP sources. He is reported to have connections with senior party leadership from Raipur, Chhattisgarh, suggesting a grounding in regional party dynamics that he may now apply to the national digital strategy. His selection underscores a fresh perspective for the BJP's online presence and communication initiatives.

Amit Malviya, who previously held the demanding position of social media head, publicly acknowledged the transition and extended his congratulations to his successor. In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Malviya expressed confidence that the BJP’s digital outreach and communication efforts would achieve "newer milestones" under the incoming leadership. He also noted his prior collaborative work with Mhaskey and other newly appointed social media coordinators, indicating a degree of continuity in the transition.

Malviya’s tenure at the head of the IT cell spanned more than eleven years, a period during which he became one of the BJP’s most visible and active communicators. His role was characterised by frequent and often robust engagement with opposition leaders, alongside the consistent and widespread promotion of the BJP’s political messaging across various digital platforms. Under his leadership, the IT cell played a significant part in shaping the party's online narrative and public perception.

The broader national team reshuffle, which included this key change in the IT cell, also saw the introduction of several new individuals into the digital communication framework. Malviya’s social media statement specifically named Priti Gandhi, Shivanand Dwivedi, Alok Bhatt, and Arun Yadav as social media coordinators. These appointments suggest a renewed and potentially expanded team structure, tasked with managing the party's online narrative, public engagement, and digital outreach strategies as the BJP moves forward. The changes reflect an ongoing evolution in how political parties leverage digital platforms in India.