Vishwa Hindu Parishad elections mark end of Pravin Togadia’s era

For the first time in 52 years, RSS affiliate Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Saturday elected its new international president, marking the end of Pravin Togadia’s era, days after the firebrand leader opened a front against the

Centre for having reneged on its promise of building a Ram temple in Ayodhya. 

The right-wing organisation elected former Himachal Pradesh governor VS Kokje as its new chief, setting aside Togadia’s nominee, the incumbent Raghav Reddy, which prompted Togadia, who alleged irregularities in the exercise, to quit the outfit.

An election was necessitated for the first time in over half a century, as there was no agreement over the candidate. 

Around 192 members of the organisation cast their votes through a secret ballot in Gurgaon. Kokje bagged 131 of the votes, defeating Reddy, who could muster only 60. 

Togadia had been associated with the VHP since 1983, and was nominated by Reddy to the top executive position in 2011.  His less than amicable relations with the ruling BJP high command centred around the Ayodhya movement.