Contrary to speculations, Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi was today unanimously re-elected as RSS General Secretary, second-in-command of the influential right wing outfit, for a third straight term.
Mr Joshi, 67, known for his organisational skills and astute planning was elected 'Sarkaryavah' by the delegates attending the Akhil Bhartiya Pratinidhi Sabha, the apex policy and decision making body of the RSS, for a fresh 3-year term, Sangh's all-India Sah Prachar Pramukh Nand Kumar told reporters.
Mr Joshi's name was proposed by Siddhnath Singh, the organisation's head for Bihar and seconded by B Prakash, Ramkrishna Rao and Sunilbhai Mehta; his counterpart from Rajasthan and provincial heads of south-central and western India respectively, he said.
Speculation was rife that Mr Joshi could be relieved of his responsibility due to his advancing age and replaced by Dattatreya Hosabale, RSS joint general secretary, considered close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, himself a former Sangh Pracharak.
In RSS, the Sarkaryavah's position is next only to its chief, Sarsanghchalak, the post occupied by Mohan Bhagwat and is virtually the executive head of the organisation.
The 3-day session of the Pratinidhi Sabha got underway yesterday during which it is likely to discuss a wide range of issues including ways for smooth coordination with the BJP and the Narendra Modi government and organisational expansion.
Nand Kumar said the Pratinidhi Sabha adopted a resolution hailing the proclamation by the 69th United Nations General Assembly to observe June 21 as the International Yoga Day.
The Pratinidhi Sabha urged the Centre and state governments to introduce yoga as part of curriculum in educational institutions and support research in the field.
He, however, declined to elaborate on other issues that were deliberated upon by the Pratinidhi Sabha and refused to take political questions.
Mr Joshi is scheduled to address the media tomorrow afternoon.
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