Ashok Shankarrao Chavan or (Ashokrao Chavan-Patil) (born 28 October 1958) is an Indian politician from Maharashtra. He is the son of the late former Maharashtra Chief Minister Shankarrao Chavan. He was one of the most influential leaders of Indian National Congress in Maharashtra but joined Bhartiya Janata Party on 13 February 2024. He served as the chief minister of Maharashtra state from 8 December 2008 to 9 November 2010.
On 9 November 2010, the Congress Party asked him to resign from office over corruption allegations relating to Adarsh Housing Society scam. In the 2014 general elections, despite the allegations and anti-incumbency wave, he won the Lok Sabha election from his Nanded constituency with a comfortable margin. In 2015, he was appointed the president of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee. Chavan lost his Nanded seat in the 2019 Lok Sabha election to Pratap Patil Chikhalikar of the BJP.
Chavan belongs to an influential political family based in Nanded district of Maharashtra state. He is the son of Shankarrao Chavan, a former chief minister of Maharashtra himself; they are the first father–son duo in the state's history to become chief ministers. His brother-in-law Bhaskarrao Bapurao Khatgaonkar Patil was a three-time Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) and a three-time MP, and Chavan's wife, Amita was MLA from Bhokar constituency in Nanded for years 2014-19.
Chavan did his schooling at the St. Xavier's High School, Fort. He graduated in Science and has obtained his Master's in Business Management from Hazarimal Jomani College and B.Y.K. College of Commerce.
Chavan belongs to a political dynasty that includes his father and wife.
Chavan's father, Shankarrao Chavan had a long career as a minister and was twice, the chief minister of Maharashtra. He had also served as a senior minister in the national government under various Congress governments. Ashok Chavan is married to Ameeta (née Sharma). Ameeta is current member of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from Bhokar constituency which has previously been represented by both Shankarrao Chavan and Chavan himself. The couple has twin daughters Srijaya and Sujaya.
He started career as student leader of University of Pune occupying post of University Representative (UR).
He started his political career in Congress Party as general secretary, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee from 1995 to 1999.
President: Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee from 2014 to 2019.
MEMBER: CONGRESS WORKING COMMITTEE from August 2023 to 12 February 2024.
On 12 February 2024, he resigned from the Congress Party's primary membership.
On 13 February 2024, he joined BJP.
In 1987–89, he held post of Member of Parliament from Nanded Lok Sabha constituency.
In 1992, he was elected as M.L.C. to the Maharashtra Legislative Council and later joined as minister of state for public works, urban development and home in March 1993.
In 2003, Vilasrao Deshmukh appointed Chavan as minister for transport, ports, cultural affairs and protocol.
In November 2004, he was given the portfolio of industries, mining, cultural affairs and protocol in Maharashtra cabinet.
1999: Minister of revenue and protocol
2008: Chief Minister of Maharashtra