Re: Who is Sanjay Joshi?
A mechanical engineer by training, Joshi was a lecturer in an engineering college, but he resigned to become a full-time volunteer (pracharak) in the nationalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in Maharashtra. Noting his organizational acument, he was asked to join BJP in Gujarat in 1988, where the party was politically weak. He is known for his good rapport with grass root level workers.
Joshi became a leading figure in BJP politics in Gujarat. From 1988 to 1995, he worked closely with Narendra Modi as a secretary of Gujarat BJP. A former colleague, Gordhan Zadafia has said of him that he is "a silent worker with immense capability and is popular and loved by party workers, while Modi has a dictatorial attitude.". Joshi was viewed as a bachelor who had dedicated his life to the party
After a revolt by Shankersinh Vaghela, Modi was shunted out, and BJP won in the subsequent elections in 1998. Joshi became the general secretary of BJP in Gujarat. In 1998, when Modi wished to return to Gujarat, Joshi had opposed the move.
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