Union minister Danve is new Maha BJP chief, to resign soon

New Delhi, Jan 6: Union minister Raosaheb Patil Danve was today appointed as the new BJP chief of Maharashtra and will soon quit from the Narendra Modi cabinet to take on his new role.

Danve (59) succeeds Devendra Fadnavis, who has since become the state chief minister after the party's 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.

Closely associated with senior BJP leaders 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. He will soon put in his papers and concentrate on his new role in Maharashtra.

"Keeping with the 'one man, one post' formula in the party, I will soon quit and concentrate on further strengthening the party in Maharashtra," Danve told PTI. He said he would step down after consulting with senior party leaders.

Asked about his priorities, he said, "My first priority is to strengthen the party in Maharashtra and accomplish the target of making one crore new members in the state. I will travel to each district in Maharashtra to connect more and more people with BJP and strengthen it further."

He said he will also ensure more coordination between the government and the party and that the voice of the common worker is heard. "Congratulations to Raosaheb Danve Patil on becoming new President. Under his experienced leadership Maharashtra BJP will attain new heights," Fadnavis said.

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.

PTI