Ram Madhav, the political mastermind who brought the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) into power in Jammu & Kashmir by engineering the 2015 coalition with PDP, is back in action after nearly four years in the shadows. After intense meetings and series of discussions with the party’s top brass, the BJP has appointed Ram Madhav as co-in-charge of the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir polls, alongside G Kishan Reddy, marking the first assembly election in the region since the abrogation of Article 370.
Madhav, who served as the general secretary (organisation) in the party for over half a decade, was dropped out of the position in 2020 and was re-inducted in the RSS central committee in 2021. Apart from J&K, Ram Madhav’s contribution in making BJP’s inroad in north eastern states has also been widely talked about among the party leaders and grassroot workers.
Known for his ability to articulate on both global and internal levels, Madhav’s return signals a bold move by the BJP and RSS to reconnect with their core legacy and make more coordinated efforts to build the party’s momentum post recent electoral results.
As a strategist who has worked closely with the top brass and inspired the cadre and youth alike, Madhav is poised to be the glue between the BJP and the RSS, and is expected to bring more cohesion at the organisational level. A senior BJP leader said that the decision of bringing Ram Madhav back is also one of the party’s ways to be ‘reflective.’
“The decision brings the party back on track sooner than expected. This reflective, yet refreshing move could replicate his past successes and redefine BJP’s future trajectory. If he becomes successful in his political endeavours in the region this time, he is likely to get bigger responsibilities in the organisation,” he added.
BJP’s ‘fire fighter’, a ‘master strategist’
Known as the BJP’s “firefighter” and a key architect of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s global outreach, including iconic events like Madison Square and Howdy Modi in the United States, Madhav’s political journey has been one of “resilience and reinvention”, said a senior RSS functionary who has worked closely with Ram Madhav.
Despite his past successes, Madhav was, however, nearly pushed into political oblivion post the party’s decision in 2020. His rehabilitation in the RSS and continued work with the India Foundation, a think tank, kept him engaged in shaping foreign policy ideas.
His intellectual contributions have been substantial, having authored over a dozen books, and his strategic acumen is well recognised, particularly in areas where the BJP historically struggled, such as Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeast. Madhav was instrumental in establishing the BJP’s footprint in these regions, reflecting his deep understanding of both the states and the broader national landscape.
Madhav’s ability to articulate on both global and internal issues sets him apart. “Unlike many senior leaders in the organisation, Ram Madhav can motivate the party cadre as well as engage the youth. His easy ways of articulation make him a versatile leader who has worked closely with key figures across the BJP and RSS. He was never hesitant to take a dynamic approach.
One has seen things that he has done in Kashmir. At that point, it was almost unimaginable,” said another senior BJP leader.
During several interactions and while addressing programmes, Ram Madhav also stressed on involving locals into the political and administrative process in Kashmir. he always advocated for involving local stakeholders in the peace process in Jammu and Kashmir. He believed that despite the central government’s efforts, the lack of local representation in discussions about Kashmir was a serious issue.
