The BJP on Saturday appointed former cabinet minister Ravindra Chavan as its working president for Maharashtra. The announcement was made by BJP national president J P Nadda in New Delhi, the party said in a release.
The decision comes ahead of the state BJP executive meeting convened in Shirdi on Sunday.
The party’s Maharashtra president post is expected to be vacant after the three-year tenure of Chandrashekhar Bawankule, the current state chief, ends in August 2025.
Bawankule will vacate the post since he has assumed charge as the state Revenue Minister in the recently formed Maharashtra government.
According to sources, Bawankule is likely to continue as the state president till the local bodies elections in the state, expected to be held in a few months.
Meanwhile, Chavan will hold the post of working president. The 54-year-old leader was among the senior ministers from the previous government did not get a Cabinet berth in the new Maharashtra government. This had triggered speculations that Chavan will be considered for the state BJP chief’s post after Bawankule’s tenure.
Last month, Chavan was made BJP state prabhari ( incharge).
Who is Ravindra Chavan?
The former PWD minister, Chavan represents Dombivali constituency. In the 2024 Assembly elections, the BJP had entrusted Chavan with charge of 39 constituencies in Konkan region. The 54-year-old leader is considered close to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Chavan started political career as a corporate in Kalyan-Dombivali Municipal Corporation in early 2000s.
He also served as standing committee chairperson of KDMC. In 2009, BJP fielded him from Dombivali Assembly seat which he won and also retained in the next three Assembly polls. Chavan has also held portfolios including ports, medical education, information technology, food and civil supplies as a minister in BJP-Sena coalition government from 2016 to 2019.
Discover the Benefits of Our Subscription!
Stay informed with access to our award-winning journalism.
Avoid misinformation with trusted, accurate reporting.
Make smarter decisions with insights that matter.
Choose your subscription package