RSS' highest decision-making body to elect new sarkaryavah today; Dattatreya Hosabale likely to replace Bhaiyyaji Joshi

A three-day meeting of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’ highest decision-making body, the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS), which began on 9 March in Nagpur, is expected to elect the next sarkaryavah (general-secretary) of RSS on Saturday, reports said. [caption id=“attachment_4384377” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Dattatreya Hosabale. Image courtesy: Twitter@DattaHosabale[/caption] Saha-sarkaryavah (joint general-secretary) Dattatreya Hosabale is likely to be elevated to the rank of sarkaryavah on Saturday, replacing the current general-secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi, according to Zee News. Joshi was unanimously re-elected as the RSS general-secretary for a third time in March 2015 by 1,400 delegates from across the country, the report added. Joshi, now in his 70s, is likely to pass the mantle to Hosabale due to health reasons, The New Indian Express reported. A senior RSS functionary also told the newspaper that Hosabale’s elevation has been on the cards for a long time. The sarkaryavah or general-secretary is effectively the second most important position in RSS. The general-secretary is the executive head of the organisation who looks after day-to-day activities. While the sarshanghachalak (chief) is the top post of RSS, its incumbent is seen in the role of a philosopher and guide leading the organisation. This year’s ABPS, which is held every three years, will be the last annual meeting before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. In the meeting, the agenda of action for the next three years will be laid down. Around 1,500 delegates of RSS are expected to attend the meeting, in which a host of issues will be discussed and deliberated upon. All regional heads of the RSS and its affiliates will attend the meeting. BJP chief Amit Shah is also expected to attend the meeting. With inputs from agencies