Ravindra Bhusari, the general secretary of the State Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) veteran, has quit his post after deciding to retire on turning 60.
In a series of tweets announcing his decision, Mr. Bhusari, who was at the helm of the BJP’s affairs as organisational general secretary in Maharashtra since July 2016, wrote, “1. ‘Jai Sri Ram!’ Completed 60yrs on 17th June. I always wanted that I should be relieved from present responsibilities after I cross 60 years.” This was followed by a second tweet, “For some time I wanted to go back to my village Wasa in Gadchiroli. Thereafter, I will take up whatever role the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh decides for me.” Mr. Bhusari, a confidant of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, in another tweet thanked his party colleagues and said, “While fulfilling my responsibility, I received full cooperation from my seniors, colleagues and subordinates, which I will always remember.”
Senior BJP leader Madhu Chavan told The Hindu, “There is nothing to be read into this. Mr. Bhusari worked for eight to 10 years and has now expressed his desire to be relieved of his post. It was his wish, so he left.” When asked if there was an official resignation, Mr. Chavan did not respond. Attempts to contact Mr. Bhusari failed to evoke a response.
A senior BJP leader said, “You must understand that the organisational posts are the prerogative of the RSS. Mr. Bhusari is himself a full-timer of the organisation. He is believed to have invoked the exhortation made by legendary RRS leader Nanasaheb Deshmukh, who advocated that organisational functionaries of the party should move away from their posts and [get involved] in public service after they attain the age of 60 years.”