New Delhi: A new Hindutva mascot has arrived in the national capital. A tech-savvy chemical engineer, he has taken social media by storm. He is giving the Anurag Thakurs and Giriraj Singhs of the world a run for their money with his scathing attack on those he thinks are “anti-nationals” and “liberals”.
Meet B.L. Santhosh, the most high-profile BJP general secretary (organisation) ever, a party post virtually reserved for an RSS pracharak who commands enormous influence as he is the link between the party and its ideological patron (RSS).
Appointed to the post last July in place of Ram Lal, who went back to the RSS after 13 years, Santhosh has been consistently hitting headlines with his tweets, which often target “urban Naxals”, “anti-nationals”, and the “tukde-tukde gang”.
The latest instance saw him threaten interference in the upcoming US elections after Democratic presidential candidate Berine Sanders described the Delhi riots as “anti-Muslim mob violence”. Sanders, he said, was “compelling us” to “play a role in the elections.
Santhosh deleted this tweet soon after he posted it, but not before it had become viral as screenshots. His bid to delete another incendiary tweet about the Delhi riots, which killed over 40 people, was also negated by screenshots.
Commenting on Delhi riots, Santhosh tweeted around 9 pm Tuesday: “Jaffrabad Metro protest area totally cleared. The game starts now. Rioters need to be taught a lesson or two of Indian laws. #PlannedDelhiRiots.”
Although he deleted this particular tweet, the hashtag has been a constant in Santhosh’s posts, with the BJP leader also lashing out at “Leftists” and “liberals” for lying about the riots.
Every tweet a bundle of lies …. Usual suspect … blue tick handle … Leftist … liberal … X MP … X Minister … Communist Party politburo member … Need not blink twice to know who they are .? What they are up to ..? #PlannedDelhiRiots pic.twitter.com/KEhdHbxRoB
— B L Santhosh (@blsanthosh) February 25, 2020
Another gem of a piece by another liberal … How much lie you all want to peddle ….? Post , instigate & delete …. Country will never forgive you for your brazen lies . #CAA pic.twitter.com/3kHnsvMsz5
— B L Santhosh (@blsanthosh) February 25, 2020
He has been equally vocal about issues such as the Shaheen Bagh protest against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), answering those against the Act and tweeting images from protests in favour of the law.
#ShahinBagh is not a coincidence .. It’s a design . @narendramodi #DelhiWithModi
— B L Santhosh (@blsanthosh) February 4, 2020
Women from all walks of life participated in thousands in support of #CAA IN Mangaluru . #IndiaSupportsCAA #MangaluruSupportsCAA pic.twitter.com/FQX6VRvug2
— B L Santhosh (@blsanthosh) January 27, 2020
Addressed the gathering in Mysuru on #CAA … #IndiaSupportsCAA pic.twitter.com/57JZWJEp0w
— B L Santhosh (@blsanthosh) January 24, 2020
The riots happening are nothing but coordinated activity of PFI + ULTRA LEFT led by CONG … As usual anti Hindu , anti national , fear mongering , derailing development issues ….
— B L Santhosh (@blsanthosh) December 20, 2019
Nation is slowly standing up to the challenge posed by Cong , Jehadi , Urban Naxals , Ultra left designs & nexus … Sambhavami Yuge Yuge …. #IndiaSupportsCAA
— B L Santhosh (@blsanthosh) December 21, 2019
Also Read: RSS sees larger design in Delhi communal riots, blames changing demographic profile
‘He’s always been vocal’
Bommarabettu Laxmijanardhana Santhosh has been a full-time worker of the RSS since 1993. He is an engineer by qualification and enjoys a good command over multiple languages like Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Tulu, Malayalam and English, which has made him popular among karyakartas across the country.
Santhosh served as general secretary (organisation) for eight years in the Karnataka unit of the BJP and played a key role in the party’s growth in the South.
In 2008, when the BJP formed its first government in South India, in Karnataka, the credit was attributed to not just Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, but also Santhosh, who belongs to the state.
In 2014, former BJP president Amit Shah appointed him as national joint general secretary in-charge of southern states.
According to sources in the BJP, Santhosh, who is also believed to play a crucial role in spotting new talent for the party, is vocal on Twitter because he understands its potential.
“Santhosh had always been vocal about his opinions and what he believes in. But he is now also using social media to communicate the party’s stand on issues. This is important as most of the liberals use this forum to shape opinions and he is aware of that,” said a senior BJP functionary.
Santhosh, sources closed to him said, usually writes his own tweets. Many in the BJP think his presence on social media is strengthening the party and is helping it connect with the youth.
“His strongest qualities are his ability to build a cadre, remain rooted, and also create a blueprint for the BJP’s future while staying true to the RSS ideology,” said another BJP functionary who has worked closely with him.
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