Controversial NCP Leader Suraj Chavan Joins Maharashtra Youth Policy Draft Panel

Mumbai, Sep 12 (PTI) The Maharashtra government has inducted Suraj Chavan, a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader with a controversial past, as a special invitee member of the committee tasked with drafting the state's revised youth policy.

In a government resolution (GR) issued by the School Education and Sports Department on Thursday, Chavan joins the committee alongside Dhananjay Thackeray, a National Youth Award recipient, and youth activist and advocate Sangram Shewale. Chavan currently serves as the general secretary of the NCP, which is led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

The committee's main objective is to review and update the state's Youth Policy from 2012. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has approved a budget of Rs 10 crore for implementing programs under the new youth policy. The revised policy aims to emphasize skill development, entrepreneurship, sports promotion, and increased youth participation in governance. Officials highlight that the inclusion of diverse committee members is designed to make it more representative.

However, Chavan's inclusion could spark opposition, given his recent notoriety for allegedly assaulting an activist during a protest in Latur. At that time, the Opposition demanded action against him. In July, Chavan was accused of assaulting Vijaykumar Ghatge, president of the Chhava Sanghatna, after he disrupted a press conference held by NCP state president Sunil Tatkare.

Ghatge and his organization were advocating for the resignation of then-agriculture minister Manikrao Kokate, following a viral video that allegedly showed Kokate playing 'rummy' on his mobile during the state legislature's monsoon session. Following the controversy, Chavan resigned from his position as president of NCP’s youth wing but was later appointed as a general secretary in the party.

The latest GR emphasizes that these appointments aim to empower the committee with young leaders and activists. The committee is expected to deliver its recommendations to the government by the end of the year.