Ravindra Chavan hails from the Maratha community and is a four-time MLA from Dombivali. (Express photo)Ravindra Chavan was unanimously appointed the new state BJP president at the party’s council meeting held in Mumbai on Tuesday. Union Law Minister Kiran Rijiju made the formal announcement amidst thunderous applause.Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “Ravindra Chavan’s unwavering commitment and loyalty to the organisation earned him the highest post. He is a karyakarta who thinks and works for the organisation 24×7,” adding “for the BJP the welfare of Maharashtra is supreme”.On the controversy over the three-language policy, he said, “We are not one to work under anybody’ pressure. We have constituted a committee that will take an appropriate decision. Students’ interest will be kept in sight and mind.”“We have always accorded Marathi highest priority. And made Marathi language mandatory,” Fadnavis reiterated. “We are not against Hindi language. We take pride in all Indian languages. Unfortunately, our opponents distorted facts for politics,” he said.“Our rivals always raise the false bogey of how Marathi and Mumbai are undermined by the BJP before every elections. They will now start shouting how the government is out to divide Mumbai from Maharashtra. But by now, people have seen the Opposition’s gimmicks,” he added.Attacking opposition parties, Fadnavis said, “During their tenure, sons of the soil were forced to relocate outside Mumbai. Whereas, after the BJP-led government came to power, we provided them homes within Mumbai. We have undertaken projects to transform the face of Mumbai and provide much needed relief to Mumbaikars.”Addressing the gathering, Rijiju said, “In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the opposition misled people on the threat to the Constitution. But in the Assembly polls, the Maharashtra BJP came back with absolute mandate. The Congress, which talks of the Constitution, is the one which ensured Dr B R Ambedkar defeat in the Lok Sabha polls from Maharashtra.”Story continues below this adChavan expressed his gratitude to the party for the responsibility bestowed on him. “We will devote our entire energy for organisational expansion keeping the 2029 Assembly polls in sight.Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said, “Fadnavis and Chavan should work together to make Maharashtra leader in every sector.” Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd