In a change of guard effected in the run-up to the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls, the Maharashtra BJP on Monday appointed three-time MLA Ameet Satam as the party’s Mumbai unit president.
A confidant of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, 49-year-old Satam succeeds two-time Mumbai BJP President Ashish Shelar, who is the State Cultural Affairs Minister.
Satam, who hails from the coastal Konkan region, has been representing Andheri (West) constituency in the Maharashtra Assembly for the past three terms. He had served as Corporator in BMC for one term.
Maharashtra BJP president Ravindra Chavan made an announcement about Satam’s appointment as the city BJP president at the State BJP headquarters in south Mumbai in the presence of Fadnavis and outgoing city chief Ashish Shelar.
Satam has been hand-picked by Fadnavis for the post ahead of the BMC polls, as he is familiar with the issues of Mumbai and has been active in the city party politics.
Talking to media persons after Satam’s appointment as the Mumbai BJP chief, Fadnavis said, “With Shelar having taken up ministerial responsibilities, it was necessary to appoint a new president for the Mumbai unit. Following discussions at the state-level and senior leaders, Satam has been chosen for the post”
“Satam is familiar with the pressing issues of Mumbai and has demonstrated the ability to tackle them effectively. I am confident that under his leadership, the BJP will maintain its winning momentum in the upcoming civic elections, and I believe we will reclaim power in the BMC,” Fadnavis said.
Expressing his happiness over the development, State BJP president Chavan said, “The Mumbai presidency of BJP was handled with great competence by Shelar. Under his leadership, BJP achieved significant success in the Mumbai Assembly elections. Similarly, there is confidence that under Satam’s leadership, the party’s organisation in Mumbai will become even stronger. Wishing him the best for his future endeavours”.
“In my view, Satam’s appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter in the Mumbai BJP. Satam has worked at every level, from corporator to MLA, and has worked closely with grassroots party workers. He has also held responsibilities as Mumbai Yuva Morcha President. For a long time, as General Secretary of Mumbai BJP alongside me. Hence, I am truly delighted that a colleague with extensive organizational experience is assuming a new role as the Mumbai BJP President,” Chavan said.
“A courageous and accomplished leader with roots in Konkan region, Satam has been serving Mumbai and its citizens, Amit Satam has taken charge of the Mumbai Bharatiya Janata Party. The BJP is fortunate to have a leader like him who rose to prominence through civic movements. Satam’s deep understanding of Mumbai’s civic issues, his aggressiveness and his ability to articulate solutions are the hallmarks of his personality,” Chavan said.
Apart from Satam, Fadnavis, Chavan and outgoing city chief Shelar, prominent among those present on the occasion were State Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, legislators Pravin Darekar, Yogesh Sagar and Sanjay Upadhyay.