The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has initiated the process for the election of the state president in Maharashtra, with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju appointed as the state election officer. The question now arises as to who will replace the current state president, Chandrashekhar Bawankule.
Maharashtra BJP President: The buzz surrounding a leadership change in the Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party has once again intensified. The current state president, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, was appointed to the post in August 2022, and now, after the completion of his term, discussions about the crowning of a new face are in full swing. In this regard, the party has taken a significant step by appointing Union Minister Kiren Rijiju as the in-charge of the Maharashtra state president's election, i.e., the state election officer.
Following this decision, it is considered certain that the BJP may soon announce its new president in Maharashtra. Notably, the change of the BJP's state president in Maharashtra is not just an organizational change but is also linked to the strategy for the upcoming assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
Ravindra Chavan's Candidacy Strongest
Ravindra Chavan, currently the working president of the Maharashtra BJP, is considered the best contender in the race for the new state president. Ravindra Chavan has had a b and influential political career. Elected as an MLA four times from Kalyan-Dombivli, Chavan is considered close to Devendra Fadnavis.
Ravindra Chavan, who began his political career as a corporator in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation in 2000, was also a minister in the Fadnavis government from 2016 to 2019. At that time, he was given charge of important departments such as ports, medical education, information technology, and food and civil supplies. In addition, he was the Minister of Public Works Department (excluding public undertakings) in the Mahayuti government in 2022 and 2024.
Chavan Fits Regional Equations
According to internal sources within the BJP, Ravindra Chavan's biggest advantage is that he has a deep understanding of the politics of the Konkan region, especially the Thane, Raigad, and Palghar districts. In this area, the BJP has a direct competition with both factions of the Shiv Sena, and Chavan's aggressive political style is considered beneficial for the party here.
A senior BJP leader, while speaking to the Hindustan Times, said that Ravindra Chavan's ground connection and hold on the organization are very b. Chavan fits the kind of strategy required against Shiv Sena.
When Will the Announcement Be Made?
Recently, Chandrashekhar Bawankule also indicated that the party leadership might make a formal announcement in the next few days. During an event in Ahilyanagar, Bawankule had said that the name of the new state president would be announced soon. This statement also makes it clear that the brainstorming on this within the party is complete and only formalities remain.
The change of the BJP's state president in Maharashtra is not just an organizational change but is also considered a strategic decision. After the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP is focused on preparing a roadmap for 2029, and b leadership in Maharashtra is its first priority. Chandrashekhar Bawankule is currently the Revenue Minister in the Devendra Fadnavis government, so the need for a new face for the post of state president was being felt.
