Raosaheb Danve

Raosaheb was born to Kesharabai Danve and Dada-rao Danve on March 18, 1955.[5] Raosaheb Danve married Nirmala Tai. They have 3 daughters & Son Santosh Danve, who is a Bhartiya Janata Party MLA from Bhokardan Legislative Constituency.[6]

In the last 30 years, from a Sarpanch to an MP and later a Minister of State, Raosaheb has held various leadership positions. Earlier, he has been a general secretary of Maharashtra BJP, and twice the vice president. Danve has been renowned as a leader with rural roots. He started his journey as a Sarpanch, and later became a MLA in 1990, 1995 from Bhokardan assembly constituency,[7][8] and 5 time consecutive Member of parliament[9] since 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014, & May 2019.[10]

During the general elections that were held in May 2014, Raosaheb Danve-Patil won the Jalna constituency for the fourth time. Immediately afterwards, he was sworn in by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the Minister of State for Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, the position he held till March 2015.[11]

Meanwhile, Maharashtra assembly elections were held in October 2014. BJP came to power and Devendra Fadnavis became first BJP Chief Minister of Maharashtra. However, as per the BJP culture, one person only holds one post a time, and hence Devendra Fadnavis resigned as the President of Maharashtra BJP and the search for a new leader commenced. Raosaheb Danve indicated to the party leadership that he was willing to resign as a minister[12] and in January 2015 he was appointed as the President of Maharashtra BJP by Amit Shah, the national President of BJP. Raosaheb Danve is only the second person in Maharashtra BJP to hold this office while also being a Member of Parliament. Earlier, late Suryabhan Vahadane-Patil had successfully carried the dual responsibility.

In 2016, a FIR was lodged against Danve for asking voters to accept Laxmi coming to their homes on election eve (alluding to money).[13] He later said that by laxmi-darshan he only intended to invoke prayers for a BJP victory and "taking Gods name cannot amount to violation of election code of conduct".[14]

By May 2017, the Tur production in Maharashtra had gone up to 20.35 lakh tonnes due to a good rainy season.[15] But the prices quickly fell and the farmers were suffering. Addressing a meeting in Jalna, when the topic was brought up, Danve lost his temper and said "Our party workers should now not cry but fight. Just the day before yesterday, we've asked officials to procure one lakh tonne tur daal. Yet these people saale (referring to farmers) are crying. Are you reading too many newspapers? Don't read!" [16] This insult directed towards the farmers was criticised by the opposition parties. Shivsena held protests against him as well and Danve expressed his regrets concerning his comment. In 2019, Danve said that the word saale is a common slang term which is not derogatory in rural marathwada, and he never intended to offend farmers.[17]

In May 2019, Danve became Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.[18]

In December 2020, Danve claimed China and Pakistan were behind the ongoing protests by farmers. He also said Muslims were misled over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the National Register of Citizens, but as those efforts did not succeed, now farmers were being told they will face losses due to the new laws.[19]

Raosaheb Danve (rightmost)

• Official biographical sketch in Parliament of India website
• http://www.mahabjp.org