New Delhi: Pravin Togadia on Sunday, April 15, announced his departure from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), after the organisation elected its new leader, Vishnu Sadashiv Kokje on Saturday.

Togadia has been with the VHP for over three decades and dedicated his life to the organisation, having left his home and “lucrative medical practice”, even serving as its international working president since December 2011. His announcement came after his nominee for the post of international working president was defeated in the elections held on Saturday.

His nominee, Raghava Reddy won 60 votes in the election but, was easily overtaken by Kokje who won 131 votes, in the VHP’s first election in 52 years. Togadia, who has been critical of the Prime Minister and the BJP leadership of late, has alluded to possibilities of the election having been rigged.

He however, stated that he would continue to work for the welfare of Hindus and also announced that he would go on an indefinite fast from Tuesday “for fulfilling the longstanding demands of Hindus”.