Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Aug 16: Maharashtra Revenue Minister and senior BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule has been given a new organisational responsibility by the party and appointed co-in-charge for the upcoming local body elections in Rajasthan.

BJP national president Nitin Nabin announced the appointment as the party steps up its organisational preparations for the forthcoming Rajasthan local body elections.

The BJP has begun strengthening its organisational machinery in Rajasthan and is assigning responsibilities to experienced leaders from different states for election management. Former MP Harish Dwivedi has been appointed in-charge for the Rajasthan local body elections, while five leaders, including Bawankule, have been appointed as co-in-charges.

Bawankule has considerable experience in party organisation and election management. He was entrusted with key responsibilities during local body elections in Maharashtra and has also served as BJP Maharashtra president.

His experience in strengthening the party organisation, managing elections and coordinating with party workers is believed to have played a role in his appointment for the Rajasthan polls.

The BJP has previously entrusted Bawankule with important election-related responsibilities. In March 2026, the party appointed him as a central observer for the Rajya Sabha elections in Odisha. That appointment was also announced by BJP national president Nitin Nabin.

Bawankule's new responsibility comes at a time when political tensions between him and Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil have intensified in Maharashtra.

Jarange has repeatedly criticised Bawankule in recent days, particularly over the issue of Kunbi certificates. He recently made strong allegations against the Maharashtra Revenue Minister, accusing him of having cancelled Kunbi certificates.

Against this backdrop, Bawankule's appointment to handle the BJP's election preparations in Rajasthan, an important state for the party, has generated discussion in Maharashtra's political circles.

The assignment is also being viewed as a reflection of the BJP's continued reliance on Bawankule's organisational and electoral experience as it prepares for upcoming political challenges.