Ravindra Chavan
Credit: X/@RaviDadaChavan
Mumbai: Veteran BJP leader and former minister Ravindra Chavan is set to take over as the new BJP President for Maharashtra.
However, a major challenge awaits the 54-year-old Chavan, who hails from Dombivli in the Thane district which neighbours the financial capital of Mumbai.
With the local bodies polls in Maharashtra round the corner, Chavan is expected to carry forward the huge success of the BJP and the Maha Yuti-NDA alliance in the Vidhan Sabha polls of 2024.
Chavan is considered close to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Chavan would replace Chandrashekhar Bawankule, who is the state revenue minister.
He was elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from Dombivli in 2009, 2014, 2019 and 2024.
When the new Maha Yuti government took charge in December 2024, his name did not figure in the list, however, soon he was made the state unit working president.
Chavan, a grass-roots worker, had been a minister in Fadnavis-headed BJP-Shiv Sena government from 2014-19 and previous Eknath Shinde-led MahaYuti government.
Chavan had handled ministries like Public Works, Ports, Medical Education, Information and Technology, Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection.
Chavan, who belongs to the Maratha community, is a good organiser and his relationship cuts across party lines.
On Tuesday, Chavan, who was accompanied by Fadnavis, Bawankule and senior leaders including Rajya Sabha member Ashok Chavan, filed his nomination papers before union minority affairs minister Kiren Rijiju, who was appointed in-charge of the Maharashtra state president's election.
The formal announcement would be made on Tuesday.
“Ravindra Chavan, a dedicated and experienced worker connected to the grassroots, becoming the state president of BJP Maharashtra will infuse new energy into the organization. I have full confidence that under his leadership, BJP will become even stronger,” said Fadnavis.
“So far, the guidance of party leaders, the invaluable support of office bearers and workers, and the blessings of the people have been with me, through which I have become ready for a new responsibility,” said Chavan.