In what it might be called as a big blow to BJP, the party’s information technology and social media cell in-charge for Maharashtra has resigned. This comes just two days before when Mumbai’s six constituencies go to polls in Mumbai.
According to Mumbai Mirror, BJP’s state social media in-charge Ashish Merkhed, resigned citing illness in the family. Merkhed hails from Nagpur, which is also the hometown of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, was upset at senior BJP leaders’ attempts to interfere with the party’s social media campaigns. “I quit around a week ago to attend to a family member who hasn’t been keeping well. I couldn’t give enough time to lead the IT cell. There is no question of infighting or rivalry with anyone, I am still campaigning for the BJP and helping it with social media,” Merkhed told the leading daily.
A functionary from the party’s IT cell told leading daily that Merkhed was sidelined and wasn’t given key responsibilities. A Source from BJP told the leading daily that, “He joined the BJP just before the 2014 general elections and was appointed the head of the party’s Maharashtra IT cell in 2017. He has created Wikipedia pages of all top BJP leaders and ensured their Twitter following increased.”
