Union Minister Raosaheb Patil Danve named new Maharashtra BJP chief

NEW DELHI: Union minister Raosaheb Patil Danve was today appointed as the new BJP chief of Maharashtra.

Danve (59) succeeds Devendra Fadnavis, who has since become the state Chief Minister after the party's stunning victory in the Assembly elections.

"BJP President Amit Shah has appointed Raosaheb Patil Danve as the new president of Maharashtra unit of BJP. His appointment takes place with immediate effect," said a party release issued here today.

Closely associated with senior BJP leader Pramod Mahajan and Gopinath Munde, Danve is the MP from Jalna Parliamentary constituency in the state. He is at present Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

Starting his political career from the panchayat level, Danve has been an MLA from Bhokardan assembly constituency twice and has won the last four parliamentary elections in a row.

He has been actively associated with the cooperative movement in the state and has also been a former vice president of the party in Maharashtra.