Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Jan 12: In a significant development, the BJP on Saturday appointed senior leader and Dombivli MLA Ravindra Chavan as the working president of its Maharashtra unit. The announcement comes at a strategic juncture as the party gears up for crucial local and civic body elections following its resounding success in the state Assembly elections.
BJP National President JP Nadda formalized Chavan's appointment ahead of the state party’s meeting in Shirdi on Sunday. The meet aims to celebrate the MahaYuti alliance's impressive Assembly election performance and strategize for the upcoming polls.
Chavan, a former public works minister in the Eknath Shinde-led cabinet, was previously tasked with leading the Sangathan Parv campaign in December last year, which focused on expanding the BJP’s membership base in Maharashtra. Known for his organizational acumen, Chavan’s new role underscores the party’s focus on grassroots mobilization.
While Chandrashekhar Bawankule, the BJP state president and Revenue Minister, will continue in his role, Chavan’s appointment as working president indicates the party’s tactical move to share leadership responsibilities and leverage Chavan’s expertise in poll management.
A trusted aide of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Chavan played a pivotal role in BJP’s significant victories in the Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg Lok Sabha seat and other Konkan region constituencies, traditionally Shiv Sena bastions.
The BJP’s Maharashtra unit has ambitious plans to enrol 1.5 cr new members as part of its Shat Pratishat strategy, aiming for a clear majority in the 2029 state Assembly elections without reliance on allies. Fronts like the Mahila Morcha and Yuva Morcha are each tasked with registering 25 lakh members, while other party wings are expected to enrol lac more.
Chavan’s appointment signals the BJP’s focus on strengthening its organizational machinery and consolidating its voter base across Maharashtra in a bid to dominate both local and state-level political landscapes.