Hosabale to replace Suresh Soni as RSS pointsman to BJP

According to Sangh sources, a team comprising general-secretary Suresh 'Bhaiyyaji' Joshi, joint general-secretaries Hosabale, Soni and Krishna Gopal, and headed by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, is currently overseeing affairs of BJP from RSS. The team will continue to be in place but the go-between will be Hosabale.

Soni was too closely identified with Modi, for whose elevation he actively worked within the Sangh, causing some friction with other BJP leaders such as Advani.

A senior Sangh official, who is not authorised to speak to the media, said Hosabale's elevation had nothing to do with Advani's opposition to Soni or any other section in the Parivar. It has more to do with the "generational shift", which that has been undertaken by Bhagwat, he added.

"There won't be any formal announcement. Soniji has been facing health issues, and is spiritually inclined. He has expressed his willingness to pursue spiritual life and wanted to be relieved of the responsibility," said the Sangh official.

Hosabale, a former organising secretary of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and a protege of former general-secretary late H V Seshadri, is expected to be effective, as former workers of the organisation are in many key positions of BJP.

"Hosabale's ABVP connections would be an added advantage," said the Sangh official quoted above. Hosabale's appointment is expected to skew the balance of power in the Sangh-BJP in favour of the ABVP.

Many Sangh watchers say Hosabale is being groomed for the top post of RSS chief. When the Jinnah controversy erupted, it was Hosabale whom Bhagwat dispatched to tell Advani that he should step down as Opposition leader.

The Sangh decision will make it easier for Modi, as Hosabale is considered to be a pro-Modi leader and accommodative. Although Modi is a towering figure and senior to Hosabale in age and experience, the joint general-secretary will be no pushover, as his former ABVP colleagues are in key posts in BJP.