Sanjay Joshi: The Former BJP Leader Back in the Spotlight

Sanjay Joshi, a former general secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a one-time adversary of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has once again surfaced in the news, sparking speculation about his potential return to the party. Joshi's history with the BJP and his complex relationship with PM Modi have been subjects of significant interest and debate.

Background and Rise in BJP

Sanjay Joshi was sent to Gujarat by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) around 1989-90 to strengthen the organization in the state. During this period, he worked closely with Narendra Modi, who was then the party general secretary. Their collective efforts were instrumental in the BJP's victory in Gujarat in 1995. However, their relationship began to sour over time, particularly when the question of chief ministership arose. Joshi and Modi initially supported Keshubhai Patel, but after Shankarsinh Vaghela's revolt and Suresh Mehta's brief tenure, Modi was sent to Delhi, while Joshi continued his work in Gujarat.

Joshi's influence in Gujarat grew during Modi's absence, but when Modi returned and became the chief minister, Joshi was eventually sent to Delhi. This marked the beginning of a significant rift between the two leaders.

Fallout and Resignation

In 2012, Joshi was forced to resign from the BJP's national executive and the party itself, a move seen as a major victory for Modi. This decision was reportedly a precondition set by Modi before he would attend the BJP's Mumbai conclave. Joshi's resignation was closely tied to his association with Nitin Gadkari, who was the BJP president at the time.

Joshi's departure from the BJP was also marred by a controversy involving a fake CD, which led to his resignation as general secretary in 2005. Despite attempts to bring him back into the party fold, particularly in Uttar Pradesh during the 2012 assembly elections, Joshi's return was short-lived due to the party's poor performance in those elections.

Recent Speculations and Activities

Recently, there has been speculation about Joshi's potential return to the BJP, with some reports suggesting he could be considered for the post of general secretary (organisation), a position currently held by BL Santhosh. This speculation is fueled by the notion that Joshi is being backed by the RSS and some senior BJP leadership. However, BJP insiders have dismissed these rumors as baseless and mischievous, aimed at creating trouble given the historical rivalry between Joshi and PM Modi.

Joshi has made occasional appearances in political circles, including attending events in Gujarat and supporting various causes. For instance, he attended the wedding of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Pravin Togadias son and has been involved in cleanliness drives and awareness campaigns against drug addiction.

Impact and Relevance

The periodic resurfacing of Joshi's name in political discussions highlights the complex dynamics within the BJP and the enduring influence of key figures like Joshi. Despite being out of the party for over a decade, Joshi's legacy and his past contributions to the BJP continue to be relevant, especially in the context of internal party politics and the balance of power within the RSS and BJP.

As the BJP navigates internal leadership changes, with BJP President J P Nadda's term set to end, speculations about who will succeed him and whether figures like Joshi could play a role again are rife. However, as of now, these remain mere speculations with no concrete evidence to support them.

For more detailed insights into the political landscape and the roles of key figures like Sanjay Joshi, you can explore the Bharatiya Janata Party and its history.

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