Discover how RSS-backed Sanjay Joshi’s organisational genius, grassroots influence, and ideological clarity make him an ideal BJP president in 2025.
In a party as vast as the BJP—India’s largest political force—leadership decisions aren’t made lightly. The ongoing tussle between the RSS and the Modi-Shah duo over filling the vacant president’s seat underlines the gravity of the choice. Among several contenders, Sanjay Joshi, a seasoned RSS pracharak with a storied history in the BJP’s organisational framework, stands out as a compelling candidate.
From RSS Foot Soldier to Gujarat Power Architect
Sanjay Joshi’s roots run deep in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). After earning his engineering degree, he embraced a life dedicated to cadre-building and Hindu nationalist ideology. His deployment to Gujarat in 1988 is especially significant; it was a crucial time when the BJP was struggling in the state. He and Narendra Modi together laid the foundation that led to the BJP’s breakthrough victories in 1995 under CM Keshubhai Patel.
Organisational Maestro of BJP’s Expansion
From 2001 to 2005, as the BJP’s National General Secretary (Organisation), Joshi masterminded electoral victories in states like Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, and Madhya Pradesh. His methodical grassroots outreach—training booth-level workers, strengthening district units—triggered expansion and consolidation that helped the BJP become a pan-India powerhouse.
Overlooked, Yet Undeniably Strong
Joshi’s career was nearly derailed in a 2005 controversy involving a doctored CD and internal BJP politics. Removed from the national executive, he remained a steadfast figure, maintaining his network and drawing admiration from RSS circles. When Nitin Gadkari took over as BJP President in 2012, Joshi was reinstated to key roles, including overseeing Uttar Pradesh and drawing on his strategic expertise
RSS’s Choice for Renewal
As the BJP grapples with delays in naming its new president—challenged by Modi-Shah’s influence and RSS demands—Joshi emerges as the consensus candidate with strong RSS backing. The RSS, seeking to reclaim its organisational roots in the BJP, views him as someone who can harmonise ideological alignment with structured, non-political leadership.
Why Sanjay Joshi Is a Game-Changer
• Grassroots Credibility & Cadre-Building
He’s respected as a silent, disciplined organiser, renowned for travelling to far-flung districts and personally engaging with workers.
• Ideological Alignment with RSS
Unlike some recent presidents perceived as Modi-shadows, Joshi offers ideological depth and connects the BJP to its Sangh roots.
• Unifying Factional Balancer
He’s one leader respected by both RSS and BJP constituencies—an asset during intra-party friction.
• Election Expert
His track record includes strategic wins in UP and Gujarat—key battlegrounds where tight margins and disciplined cadre systems decide outcomes.
What Challenges He’ll Face
- Internal Resistance: Modi-Shah loyalists may resist a president not aligned with their faction.
- Public vs. Quiet Influence: Joshi lacks the public profile of other leaders; he’d rely more on organisational strength than charisma.
Yet his potential to restore the RSS-BJP organisational synergy and expand the party at the grassroots level makes these challenges worth confronting.
Conclusion—Building BJP’s Future from the Roots
In 2025, the BJP needs a leader who can reconnect the party to its ideological roots, empower grassroots cadres, and navigate electoral complexities with humility and strategic vision.
Sanjay Joshi embodies all these qualities. His return would symbolise not just leadership renewal, but a recommitment to the Sangh-BJP organisational model—a shift that may define the party’s success in upcoming state elections and beyond.
