India, Aug. 17 -- The BJP on Monday appointed Chhattisgarh-based academic and party leader Deepak Mhaskey as the head of its social media department, replacing Amit Malviya, who had led the party's social media outreach for 11 years.

Mhaskey, who has served as a chemistry professor and was an independent director on the board of Engineers India Limited (EIL), said he regarded the new assignment as a "huge responsibility" and thanked the BJP leadership for entrusting the role to him.

"I express my gratitude to the state organisation, the national organisation, our chief minister, our national president Nitin Nabin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, all senior leaders and fellow party workers. I will make every effort to fulfil this responsib...