Firebrand legislator and Fadnavis confidante Ameet Satam made BJP’s Mumbai chief ahead of BMC polls

Satam replaces two-time chief Ashish Shelar, who is the also the state’s Cultural Affairs Minister.

Mumbai: With the mega local bodies polls round the corner, the Maharashtra BJP saw a major change of guard with three-time firebrand legislator Ameet Satam appointed the saffron party’s Mumbai unit President. 

Satam replaces two-time chief Ashish Shelar, who is the state’s Cultural Affairs Minister. 

The appointment of 49-year-old was okayed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and BJP’s Maharashtra unit President Ravindra Kadam.

“With Shelar having taken on ministerial responsibilities in the Cabinet, it was necessary to appoint a new president for the Mumbai unit. Following discussions at the state-level and senior leaders, Satam has been chosen for the post,” Fadnavis said announcing the decision.

Satam, who hails from the coastal Konkan belt, is a three-time MLA from Andheri West in Mumbai.

Before that, he had served as Corporator of the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for one term. 

His appointment comes ahead of the elections to the BMC, one of the biggest and largest civic bodies. 

“Satam is familiar with the pressing issues of Mumbai and has demonstrated the ability to tackle them effectively. “I'm confident that under his leadership, the BJP will maintain its winning momentum in the upcoming civic elections, and I believe we'll reclaim power in the BMC,” added Fadnavis. 

“The Mumbai presidency of BJP was handled with great competence by Shelar. Under his leadership, BJP achieved significant success in the Mumbai Assembly elections. Similarly, there's confidence that under Satam’s leadership, the party’s organisation in Mumbai will become even stronger. Wishing him the best for his future endeavours,” said Chavan. 

“In my view, this marks the beginning of a new chapter in the Mumbai BJP.  Satam has served at every level, from corporator to MLA, and has worked closely with grassroots party workers. He has also held responsibilities as Mumbai Yuva Morcha President. For a long time, as General Secretary of Mumbai BJP alongside me. Hence, I'm truly delighted that a colleague with extensive organisational experience is assuming the role of Mumbai BJP President,” he said. 

In August 2022, Shelar was appointed the BJP Mumbai chief and he led the city unit during the 2024 Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha polls. 

“A courageous and accomplished leader, rooted in Konkan and dedicated to serving Mumbai and its citizens, Amit Satam has taken charge of the Mumbai Bharatiya Janata Party. The BJP is fortunate to have a leader like him who rose to prominence through civic movements. Satam’s deep understanding of Mumbai’s civic issues, his aggressiveness and his ability to articulate solutions are the hallmarks of his personality,” he added. 

On this occasion, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Minister Ashish Shelar, Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, legislators  Pravin Darekar, Yogesh Sagar, Sanjay Upadhyay were present.