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.
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 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.
Joshi will now choose his team of joint general secretaries. Suresh Soni and Krishan Gopal, apart from Hosabale are the three joint general secretaries currently.
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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.
Representatives of several RSS affiliates, including BJP, Sangh's student wing Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad, VHP, Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh and Bhartiya Kisan Sangh are attending the conclave.