Ravindra Chavan
{{Short description|Indian politician}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Ravindra Chavan
| image = Ravindra Chavan.jpg
| caption = Ravindra Chavan
| office = President of Bharatiya Janata Party – Maharashtra
| term_start = 1 July 2025
| term_end =
| predecessor = Chandrashekhar Bawankule
| successor =
| office1 = Minister of Public Works
Government of Maharashtra
| term_start1 = 9 August 2022
| term_end1 = 26 November 2024
| 1blankname1 = Chief Minister
| 1namedata1 = Eknath Shinde
| predecessor1 = Ashok Chavan
| successor1 = Shivendra Raje Bhosale
| office2 = Ministry of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Protection
Government of Maharashtra
| term_start2 = 9 August 2022
| term_end2 = 2 July 2023
| 1blankname2 = Chief Minister
| 1namedata2 = Eknath Shinde
| predecessor2 = Chhagan Bhujbal
| successor2 = Chhagan Bhujbal
| office3 = Minister of state
Government of Maharashtra
| term_start3 = 8 July 2016
| term_end3 = 8 November 2019
| 1blankname3 = Chief Minister
| 1namedata3 = Devendra Fadnavis
| 2blankname3 = Department
| 2namedata3 = Ports
Information Technology
Medical Education
Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Protection
| office4 = Member of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly
| term_start4 = 2009
| predecessor4 = Constituency created
| constituency4 = Dombivli
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1970|09|20|df=y}}
| birth_place = Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| party = Bharatiya Janata Party
| education =
| alma_mater =
| occupation = Politician
| spouse = Suhasi Chavan
| children = 2 daughters
(Saloni & Khushi)
| father = Dattatray Chavan
}}
Ravindra Dattatray Chavan (September 20, 1970) is an Indian politician affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He serves as an MLA representing the Dombivli Assembly constituency in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, having won elections in 2009, 2014, 2019 and 2024.{{cite news |title=डोंबिवलीत रवींद्र चव्हाण यांनी भाजपचा गड राखला |url=https://www.loksatta.com/thane/assembly-elections-2024-bjp-mla-ravindra-chavan-won-for-the-fourth-time-this-year-by-securing-76-thousand-896-votes-amy-95-4729126/ |publisher=Loksatta |date=November 23, 2024 |language=Marathi}} He served as a cabinet minister in the Eknath Shinde-led government in Maharashtra, handling the portfolios of the Public Works Department (excluding Public Undertakings) and the Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Protection departments.{{cite news |title=एकनाथ शिंदे-देवेंद्र फडणवीस सरकारची संपूर्ण यादी आणि खाती |url=https://www.bbc.com/marathi/india-62540046 |publisher=BBC |date=October 14, 2022 |language=Marathi}}
He also served as the Guardian Minister for Palghar and Sindhudurg districts. Previously, he held the position of Cabinet Minister for Ports, Information and Technology, Medical Education, and Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Protection from 2016 to 2019.{{cite news |last1=Walunj |first1=Sharmila |title=डोंबिवलीला दुसऱ्यांदा मंत्रीपद, जाणून घ्या रवींद्र चव्हाण यांचा राजकीय प्रवास |url=https://www.esakal.com/mumbai/political-journey-of-dombivli-bjp-mla-ravindra-chavan-vk11 |publisher=Sakal |date=9 August 2022 |language=Mr}}
In 2020, Chavan was appointed as the General Secretary of the BJP's Maharashtra unit. On 11 January 2025, he was appointed as the Working President of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Maharashtra.{{cite news |last1=Khapre |first1=Shubhangi |title=The man who could be next Maharashtra BJP chief: Why Ravindra Chavan was appointed party’s working president |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/maharashtra-bjp-working-president-dombivali-mla-ravindra-chavan-9775047/ |publisher=Indian Express |date=January 12, 2025}}
Early life
Ravindra Chavan completed his schooling in Mumbai.{{cite web |title=Chavan Ravindra Dattatraya (Winner) |url=https://myneta.info/mh2009/candidate.php?candidate_id=2244 |website=Myneta |date=2009}} He completed his 12th standard education and pursued further studies at Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University, Nashik.{{cite web |title=Ravindra Chavan (Winner) |url=https://myneta.info/maharashtra2019/candidate.php?candidate_id=8678 |website=Myneta |date=2019}}
Political career
In 2002, Ravindra Chavan was appointed as the Kalyan Sub-District President of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha. In 2005, he was elected as a corporator in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation, representing the Savarkar Road ward in Dombivli. In 2007, he became the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation.
During his tenure as a corporator, Chavan was elected as the first Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Dombivli Assembly constituency in 2009, defeating Rajesh Kadam of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and securing 61,104 votes{{cite web |title=Live Dombivali (Maharastra) Assembly Election Results 2019 Updates, Winner, Runner-up Candidates 2019 Updates, Vidhan Sabha Current MLA and Previous MLAs |url=https://www.elections.in/maharashtra/assembly-constituencies/dombivali.html |website=Elections.in |date=4 August 2024}} on the ticket of the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance.
Chavan won the Maharashtra Assembly elections in 2014 and 2019. In the 2019 Maharashtra legislative elections, he won by receiving the highest number of votes in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. In 2016, he was appointed Cabinet Minister in Maharashtra governnment, with the portfolio of Ports, Information Technology, Medical Education, and Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Protection. In February 2018, Chavan was appointed as the Guardian Minister of Raigad district, succeeding Prakash Mehta.{{cite news |title=Ravindra Chavan replaces Prakash Mehta as Raigad guardian min |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/ravindra-chavan-replaces-prakash-mehta-as-raigad-guardian-min-118020701880_1.html |publisher=Business Standard |date=February 7, 2018}} In July 2019, Chavan was also appointed the Guardian Minister of Palghar district.{{cite news |title=रवींद्र चव्हाण पालघरचे नवे पालकमंत्री - पालकमंत्री |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/marathi/maharashtra/state/palghar/ravindra-chavan-guardian-minister-of-palghar/mh20190706075212009 |publisher=ETV Bharat |date=July 6, 2019 |language=mr}}
Following the dissolution of the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance and the establishment of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, Chavan continued to serve as an MLA and was appointed General Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Maharashtra in July 2020.{{cite news |last1=Ghoge |first1=Ketaki |title=State BJP chief appoints new executive committee for Maharashtra |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/state-bjp-chief-appoints-new-executive-committee-for-maharashtra/story-xz9AF1WpcvWyshhHDV6erJ.html |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=July 4, 2020}} In 2022, he was appointed as a Cabinet Minister in the Shinde-Fadnavis government, responsible for the Ministry of Public Works (excluding Public Undertakings). In September 2022, the Shinde-led government appointed him as Guardian Minister of Palghar district and Sindhudurg district.{{cite news |title=Eknath Shinde appoints district guardian ministers |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/maharashtra-eknath-shinde-appoints-district-guardian-ministers-8170882/ |publisher=Indian Express |date=October 4, 2022}}
In 2024, Ravindra Chavan was re-elected from the Dombivli Assembly constituency for the fourth consecutive term, with a margin of 77,106 votes.{{cite news |title=Maharashtra Election Results: Ravindra Chavan, who performed well in Konkan range, wins Dombivli seat by record votes |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thane/maharashtra-election-results-ravindra-chavan-who-perform-well-in-konkan-range-wins-dombivli-seat-by-record-votes/articleshow/115627241.cms |publisher=The Times of India |date=November 23, 2024}}
Work
= As an MLA =
In June 2011, Chavan facilitated the confirmation of 285 KDMC workers who were at risk of job termination by addressing a legal issue with KDMC officials. He had previously advocated for a salary increase for these workers in 2007.{{cite news |title=All is well that ends well |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/other/obesity-is-not-weight-problem/articleshow/16135487.cms |publisher=Mumbai Mirror |date=June 11, 2011}}
In July 2011, Ravindra Chavan led a protest in Kalyan West with over 400 residents against the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation's delay in completing the 1.5 km Govindwadi bypass. After refusing bail, he was jailed and began a hunger strike demanding action on stalled infrastructure projects, including the Mumbra–Dombivli road.{{cite news |last1=Sharma |first1=Sunil |title=Sitting MLA refuses bail in jail |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/other/sitting-mla-refuses-bail-in-jail/articleshow/16150581.cms |publisher=Mumbai Mirror |date=July 30, 2011}}
In August 2011, Ravindra Chavan led a protest, the Taala Thoko Andolan, at the Central Railway Divisional Railway Manager's office in Mumbai to address infrastructure issues in Dombivli. He raised demands for a road over bridge at Thakurli, better parking facilities near Dombivli railway station, and the completion of the Kalyan-Dombivli parallel road, among others. Chavan pledged ₹2 crore from the MLA fund for the Thakurli project. The Central Railway management assured action on the raised concerns.{{cite news |title=Dombivli MLA protests against CR Read |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/other/dombivli-mla-protests-against-cr/articleshow/16159309.cms |publisher=Mumbai Mirror |date=August 27, 2011}}
He organizes the Namo Namo Dandiya event in Dombivli since 2018, attracting up to 50,000 participants daily during Navratri in an air-conditioned venue at the Sawlaram Maharaj Sports Complex.{{cite news |last1=Gupta |first1=Pradeep |title=BJP MLA Ravindra Chavan’s garba mandal attracts 50,000 dandiya enthusiasts daily in Dombivli |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/bjp-mla-ravindra-chavans-garba-mandal-attracts-50000-dandiya-enthusiasts-daily-in-dombivli/articleshow/114009576.cms |publisher=The Times of India |date=October 7, 2024}}
= As a Minister =
As Minister of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Protection, Ravindra Chavan launched the 'Anandacha Shidha' initiative in 2022, which provided subsidized rations to economically disadvantaged families during Diwali.{{cite news |title='...आनंदाचा शिधा घेऊन जा' दिवाळीच्या आदल्या दिवशी सरकारकडून मोठा बदल |url=https://lokmat.news18.com/news/ration-for-diwali-will-be-distributed-offline-say-ravindra-chavan-mhss-777065.html |publisher=News18 |date=October 23, 2022 |language=Marathi}}
In 2022, he worked to improve temple infrastructure in the Konkan region, notably at Anganewadi and Kunkeshwar temples, by constructing concrete roads, providing modern sanitation facilities, and enhancing mobile connectivity for devotees.{{cite news |title=Ravindra Chavhan : प्रसिद्ध आंगणेवाडी तीर्थक्षेत्र विकासाठी राज्यसरकारचे मोठे पाऊल - सार्वजनिक बांधकाम मंत्री रविंद्र चव्हाण |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/marathi/maharashtra/state/sindhudurg/the-state-government-has-taken-a-big-step-to-develop-the-famous-anganewadi-pilgrimage-site-in-konkan/mh20221110130628192192175 |publisher=ETV Bharat |date=November 10, 2022 |language=Marathi}}
In 2023, the Project Management Information System (PMIS) was launched by Chavan, serving as the Public Works Department minister, with the goal of improving transparency and streamlining project oversight. He also made efforts to tackle corruption, particularly addressing reported 'cash-for-transfers' practices and strengthening accountability in personnel management.{{cite news |last1=Shaikh |first1=Mustafa |title=Not able to curb corruption in Maharashtra PWD, says minister-in-charge |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/not-able-to-curb-corruption-in-maharashtra-pwd-says-minister-2364186-2023-04-25 |publisher=India Today |date=April 25, 2023}}{{cite news |title=PWD minister laments ‘race for transfers’ |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/mumbai-pwd-minister-launches-pmis-for-transparency-struggles-to-end-race-for-transfers-and-control-corruption-101682362271975.html |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=April 25, 2023}} In the same year, Chavan worked on the beautification and infrastructure development project for 12 Konkan Railway stations, with a budget of {{INR}}56.25 crore, to promote tourism in the Konkan region.{{cite news |title=कोकण रेल्वेच्या 12 रेल्वे स्थानकांचे होणार सुशोभिकरण, मुख्यमंत्र्यांच्या हस्ते उद्या ऑनलाईन भूमिपूजन |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811164040/https://www.tv9marathi.com/maharashtra/12-railway-stations-of-konkan-railway-will-be-beautified-bhoomi-pujan-will-be-done-online-tomorrow-by-the-chief-minister-eknath-shinde-995391.html |publisher=TV9 |date=August 7, 2023 |language=Marathi}}{{cite news |title=Konkan Railway : कोकणातील रेल्वेच्या 37 स्थानकांचे होणार सुशोभीकरण |url=https://www.tendernama.com/mahatender/Konkan/konkan-railway-develops-37-railway-stations |publisher=Tendarnama |date=January 24, 2023 |language=Mr}}
From 2021 to 2023, Ravindra Chavan, as the Minister of Public Works, facilitated development works worth ₹92,000 crore through the Public Works Department, focusing on roads, bridges, and buildings across Maharashtra. He also made the distribution of free solar power units to housing societies in Dombivli under the Central Government's Renewable Energy Sources Scheme, benefiting 268 housing complexes and encouraging the adoption of solar energy in the region.{{cite news |last1=Kate |first1=Suresh |last2=M Galande |first2=Mahesh |title=स्वातंत्र्यानंतर प्रथमच 2 वर्षात 92 हजार कोटींची विकासकामे; सा.बां. मंत्री रविद्र चव्हाणांचा दावा |url=https://marathi.abplive.com/news/thane/92-thousand-crores-in-2-years-for-the-first-time-after-independence-says-minister-ravidra-chavan-claim-1313417 |publisher=ABP Live |date=September 17, 2024 |language=Marathi}} Chavan addressed the long-standing delays in the Mumbai-Goa highway project, which had been delayed for 12 years. Under his leadership, land acquisition issues were resolved, and the residents of Konkan, who had contributed land, received compensation. {{cite news |title=Mumbai-Sindhudurg Greenfield Corridor will be built |url=https://www.mumbailive.com/en/civic/mumbai-sindhudurg-greenfield-corridor-will-be-built-83161 |publisher=Mumbai Live |date=March 4, 2024}}{{cite news |title=मुंबई गोवा महामार्ग येत्या डिसेंबरमध्ये पुर्ण होणार, उद्योगमंत्री उदय सामंत |url=https://www.loksatta.com/maharashtra/uday-samant-expressed-said-work-of-mumbai-goa-national-highway-will-be-completed-by-next-december-sud-02-4620338/ |publisher=Loksatta |date=September 27, 2024 |language=Mr}}
In 2024, while serving as Guardian Minister, Chavan facilitated the resettlement of 70 homeless Katkari families in Sindhudurg district by providing land for building homes.{{cite news |last1=Sondavale |first1=Shubham |title=पालकमंत्री रवींद्र चव्हाण की दरियादिली, अपनी जमीन देकर हल की कातकरी समुदाय के घर की समस्या |url=https://navbharatlive.com/maharashtra/sindhudurg/ravindra-chavan-solved-the-housing-problem-of-katkari-community-964943.html |publisher=Nava Bharat |date=August 17, 2024 |language=Hindi}} He was appointed as the Working President of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Maharashtra, on January 11, 2025.{{cite news |last1=Pandit |first1=Vinaya Deshpande |title=Former Minister Ravindra Chavan appointed working president of Maharashtra BJP |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/maharashtra/former-minister-ravindra-chavan-appointed-working-president-of-maharashtra-bjp/article69089769.ece |publisher=The Hindu |date=January 11, 2025}}
Positions held
| class="wikitable sortable" | ||||
| # | From | To | Position | Refs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 2002 | 2005 | Kalyan Sub-District President, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha | |
| 02 | 2005 | 2009 | Corporator, Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation, Savarkar Road Ward | |
| 03 | 2007 | 2009 | Chairman, Standing Committee, Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation | |
| 04 | 2009 | Present | Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), Dombivli Constituency for fourth term | |
| 05 | 2016 | 2019 | Cabinet Minister, Maharashtra Government, with portfolios of Ports, Information Technology, Medical Education, and Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection | |
| 06 | 2018 | 2019 | Guardian Minister of Raigad District | |
| 07 | 2019 | 2019 | Guardian Minister of Palghar District | |
| 08 | 2020 | 2024 | General Secretary, Bharatiya Janata Party, Maharashtra | |
| 09 | 2022 | 2024 | Cabinet Minister, Ministry of Public Works (excluding Public Undertakings), Government of Maharashtra | |
| 10 | 2022 | 2024 | Guardian Minister of Palghar and Sindhudurg Districts, Maharashtra | |
| 11 | 2022 | 2023 | Minister of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Protection, Government of Maharashtra | |
| 12 | 2025 | Present | President of Bharatiya Janata Party – Maharashtra |