BL Santhosh appointed BJP general secretary (organisation)
The BJP on Sunday promoted BL Santhosh, its low-profile joint general secretary (organisation), to the post of general secretary (organisation). The party said in a statement that the appointment would take effect immediately. His influence in the southern states, where the BJP is trying to expand, is seen as a major reason for his elevation.
Who is BL Santhosh
Santhosh, who is in his early fifties, was chosen ahead of several senior contenders. BJP and RSS sources describe him as a tech-savvy, English-speaking pracharak who spent several years active in Bengaluru. He is known as a decisive leader who promotes young people with firm right-wing views; two young MPs, Pratap Simha (Mysore) and Tejasvi Surya (Bangalore South), are regarded as his proteges. He can speak five languages and reads and writes Kannada, English and Hindi.
He worked in the Mangalore region of Karnataka, where the RSS is strong, and drew the attention of senior RSS and BJP figures through his work in areas bordering Kerala. He spent eight years as general secretary (organisation) of the BJP’s Karnataka unit, and as joint general secretary (organisation) he oversaw Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Goa.
Differences and expectations
His firmness has at times caused friction with other BJP leaders. During the 2018 Karnataka assembly election he fell out with BS Yeddyurappa and others over candidate selection and other issues, though he mostly prevailed.
Like his predecessor Ramlal, Santhosh could have a long tenure as the RSS’s point person in the BJP if he avoids controversy and keeps a low profile, as the role is expected to demand. Two earlier holders of the post, KN Govindacharya and Sanjay Joshi, left amid controversy. With the next party president, JP Nadda, coming from the north, Santhosh is expected to look after the south.
What happened next
J. P. Nadda succeeded Amit Shah as BJP president in January 2020.
See also: Bharatiya Janata Party, political leaders.
Originally published on 15 July 2019. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.
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