Maharashtra unit's new president appointment involves Ravindra Chavan, a political figure with a four-time MLA track record.
Ravindra Chavan, a seasoned Indian politician from Maharashtra, has been unanimously appointed as the President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra, succeeding Ashish Shelar. The strategic move comes ahead of crucial local body elections in the state[1][3][4].
Born in Kalyan, Maharashtra in 1970, Chavan has made a significant impact in Maharashtra politics, rising through the ranks of the BJP. His legislative experience spans over two decades, having served as a four-time MLA from the Dombivli constituency in the Thane district[5].
Chavan has held various ministerial portfolios in the Maharashtra government, including Ports, IT, Medical Education, Food & Consumer Affairs, Public Works (excluding Public Undertakings), and serving as Guardian Minister of Palghar and Sindhudurg districts from 2022 to 2024[2]. He also served as MoS for Urban Development in the Fadnavis-led government (2016-2019), handling key municipal bodies.
Chavan's rise within the party hierarchy is evident, having been elevated to BJP Maharashtra General Secretary in July 2020 and then to Working President in January 2025[2]. His leadership has been instrumental in consolidating the BJP's base in key regions like Konkan and Thane, and his organizational abilities have been highlighted as a key factor in his unanimous election as state BJP president[3].
Chavan's development focus is evident in his involvement in infrastructure modernization projects, including municipal roads, bridges, and improving civic services in Thane, Palghar, and Dombivli, emphasizing efficiency and transparency[2].
The appointment of Chavan as Maharashtra BJP president comes at a crucial time, just before local elections, indicating the party’s trust in his ability to lead and strengthen BJP's position in the state[1][3]. Under his leadership, the Maharashtra BJP has adopted an aggressive stance toward political rivals, with senior leaders expressing confidence in his capability to dismantle opposition forces[1].
The city unit is currently headed by Ashish Shelar. Chavan's elevation is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the BJP's grassroots connect in semi-urban areas such as Badlapur, Matheran, and Karjat[6].
Chavan made his electoral debut in 2007 as a corporator in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation. He has represented the Dombivli Assembly constituency in Thane district since 2009. The announcement was made by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju following a party meeting in Mumbai[7]. Chavan, a close confidant of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, is the 12th state president of the Maharashtra BJP[8].
References: [1] https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ravindra-chavan-bjp-maharashtra-president-1958714-2025-07-01 [2] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ravindra-chavan-elected-bjp-maharashtra-president/article64924027.ece [3] https://www.financialexpress.com/politics/ravindra-chavan-elected-bjp-maharashtra-president-ahead-of-local-body-polls/2512025/ [4] https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ravindra-chavan-elected-new-bjp-president-of-maharashtra-unit-3134639 [5] https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/ravindra-chavan-elected-unopposed-bjp-maharashtra-president-123070100205_1.html [6] https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/ravindra-chavan-elected-bjp-maharashtra-president-ahead-of-local-body-polls/741243 [7] https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ravindra-chavan-elected-bjp-maharashtra-president-1958714-2025-07-01 [8] https://www.financialexpress.com/politics/ravindra-chavan-elected-bjp-maharashtra-president-ahead-of-local-body-polls/2512025/
- Ravindra Chavan, the new President of BJP in Maharashtra, faces a challenging finance market as he plans his portfolio for the upcoming local body elections.
- The migration of voters towards opposition parties in war-and-conflicts-prone areas could potentially impact Chavan's strategies in key constituencies.
- Policy-and-legislation changes in the state could influence the outcome of the elections, and Chavan is expected to navigate these changes effectively.
- Car-accidents along major highways in Maharashtra could disrupt campaign rallies and impact voting patterns in local body elections.
- Politics surrounding the distribution of resources could be a contentious issue in the upcoming elections, and Chavan will need to address these concerns to ensure the BJP's success.
- General-news outlets will cover the elections extensively, providing updates on key developments and Chavan's strategies.
- Crime-and-justice issues could affect voter sentiment in some constituencies, and Chavan may have to address these concerns to gain the trust of voters.
- Accidents, fires, and other unfortunate incidents could occur during the campaign period, and Chavan will need to handle these situations with sensitivity and empathy.
- Sports such as football, baseball, hockey, golf, and sports-betting could provide a refreshing change from political debates and attract voters to BJP events.
- Basketball and NCAA-basketball matches could serve as potential campaign platforms for Chavan to engage with youth voters.
- MLB, NHL, and racing events could draw interest from the sports-loving demographic and boost voting turnout for the BJP.
- American-football, including the NFL and the NBA, could offer Chavan opportunities to connect with a broader audience and gain support for the BJP.
- Chavan may attend events like the Masters, the Grand-Prix, horse-racing meets, weather forecasting, and NCAA-football games to garner public support.
- Sports-analysis experts could provide strategic insights that help Chavan tailor his campaign strategies to appeal to different demographics.
- The weather could impact outdoor events, and Chavan will need to plan contingencies to ensure that campaign events run smoothly.
- NCAA-football games, tennis matches, and other events could provide opportunities for Chavan to interact with voters in a casual setting and build rapport.
- Mixed-martial-arts events could generate excitement and draw a young, energetic crowd that could potentially rally behind the BJP.
- Chavan's strategic moves in the lead-up to the local body elections will be closely watched by political analysts and the media alike.
- The outcome of the elections will likely set the tone for Maharashtra's political landscape in the coming years, with significant implications for the state's development and governance.
