Chemistry Professor Replaces Amit Malaviya, Long Standing IT Cell Chief of BJP

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s appointment of Deepak Mhaskey as its new IT Cell chief marks a shift from its long-standing digital strategist Amit Malviya to a relatively low-profile organiser from Chhattisgarh whose career spans academia, agriculture, electoral data analysis, public-sector governance and state administration.

Mhaskey, who has been associated with the BJP’s organisation in Chhattisgarh for years, brings an unusual professional profile to a role at the heart of the party’s national digital machinery.

From Chemistry Professor To BJP Organiser

Born in 1968, Mhaskey holds an MSc in Chemistry, along with a diploma in cement technology and a certified course in computer programming.

According to his professional profile submitted to Engineers India Limited (EIL), Mhaskey began his career as a college Chemistry professor before moving into agriculture. He has more than three decades of experience in horticulture and organic farming and has also worked briefly in road construction.

His career later expanded into politics, electoral data and government welfare schemes. His EIL profile highlights his interest in data collection and analysis, particularly electoral data and information related to government beneficiary schemes.

Reports prepared by him on these subjects were submitted to and used by private and government agencies, according to the profile.

Long Association With BJP’s Chhattisgarh Unit

Mhaskey has been associated with the BJP’s Chhattisgarh IT Cell since 2009, according to his LinkedIn profile. He has also served as a state spokesperson of the party in Chhattisgarh.

His years of work within the state organisation have given him experience in political communication and party-level organisational activities before his elevation to the BJP’s national IT machinery.

From EIL Boardroom To BJP’s National IT Cell

Mhaskey also has experience in public-sector corporate governance.

He was appointed a non-official independent director of Engineers India Limited in November 2021 and was reappointed for a second term in March 2025. His tenure on the EIL board ended in March 2026, according to the company's regulatory filing.

During his time at EIL, he served on several committees, including the Audit Committee, CSR Committee, Risk Management Committee and Nomination and Remuneration Committee.

His profile also records his involvement in social-welfare initiatives such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, health camps, rural libraries and efforts to promote awareness of digital transactions in rural areas.

Role In Chhattisgarh Government

Mhaskey’s political and public-sector experience has also extended into the Chhattisgarh government.

He is the chairman of the Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation Limited, a state government entity involved in medical supplies and related services. The corporation's digital dashboard lists him as its chairman.

This gives Mhaskey experience across party organisation, government administration and public-sector corporate governance — a combination he now brings to his new national role.

Electoral Data Experience Could Shape New Role

One of the most notable aspects of Mhaskey’s background is his experience with electoral data.

His EIL profile specifically mentions his work in collecting and analysing electoral data at the national level, as well as information concerning government welfare beneficiaries.

That experience could prove relevant as the BJP's IT Cell continues to combine political communication, social media outreach, data analysis and digital campaigning.

Replacing Amit Malviya

Mhaskey takes charge after Amit Malviya, who had headed the BJP’s IT Cell for several years and became one of the party’s most recognisable figures in India's political digital space.

Malaviya along with Arvind Gupta were a key strategist for the BJP's election campaign in 2014.

While Malviya's tenure was closely associated with the BJP's aggressive social media and digital campaigning, Mhaskey's profile reflects a different route to the position — from academia and agriculture to political organisation, data analysis and public-sector governance.

His appointment therefore puts a relatively low-profile Chhattisgarh organiser, with a background as a Chemistry professor and electoral-data analyst, at the centre of the BJP's national digital strategy.