Maharashtra, a state renowned for its vibrant culture, rich history, and economic prowess, has been governed by a succession of dynamic leaders who have shaped its political trajectory. From its inception in 1960, Maharashtra has witnessed the stewardship of several Chief Ministers, each leaving an indelible mark on the state’s governance and development. In this article, we embark on a journey through history to explore the list of former Chief Ministers of Maharashtra, highlighting their contributions and legacies.
Chief Ministers of Maharashtra
Maharashtra, formed on May 1, 1960, saw its first Chief Minister, Yashwantrao Chavan of the INC, tragically pass away in office, marking a somber milestone. Vasantrao Naik holds the record for the longest-serving Chief Minister, with over 11 years in office. Devendra Fadnavis, the sole BJP Chief Minister, completed a notable five-year term. Eknath Shinde, representing Shiv Sena, assumed office in June 2022. Maharashtra has faced President’s rule thrice, reflecting its political fluctuations among the INC, Shiv Sena, and BJP.
First Chief Minister of Maharashtra
Yashwantrao Chavan, previously serving as the Chief Minister of Bombay state since 1956, seamlessly transitioned into the role of the first Chief Minister of Maharashtra upon its formation in 1960. A stalwart of the INC, his leadership marked the early days of Maharashtra’s statehood, laying the groundwork for its governance and development.
Current Chief Minister of Maharashtra
Eknath Sambhaji Shinde, an Indian politician, assumed office as the 20th and current Chief Minister of Maharashtra on June 30, 2022. Representing the Shiv Sena party, Shinde brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the position, steering the state towards progress and development amidst contemporary challenges.
Longest Serving Chief Minister of Maharashtra
Vasantrao Naik, the longest-serving Chief Minister of Maharashtra, held office from December 1963 to February 1975, spanning over 11 years. Notably, he was the first and only Chief Minister to complete a full five-year term (1967-1972) until Devendra Fadnavis equaled it from 2014 to 2019, leaving a profound legacy of governance and leadership.
Shortest Serving Chief Minister of Maharashtra
Devendra Fadnavis holds the distinction of being the shortest-serving Chief Minister of Maharashtra, with a brief tenure lasting from November 23 to November 26, 2019, totaling just 80 hours. Despite the brevity of his term, Fadnavis’ leadership during this period reflects the rapid pace and intricacies of Maharashtra’s political landscape.
List of Former Chief Ministers of Maharashtra (1960-2024)
From its inception in 1960, Maharashtra has witnessed the stewardship of several Chief Ministers, each leaving an indelible mark on the state’s governance and development.
Here is the complete list of former Chief Ministers of Maharashtra from 1960 to 2024:
| List of Former Chief Ministers of Maharashtra (1960-2024) | |||
| S. No. | Name | From | To |
| 1. | Yashwantrao Chavan | 01 May 1960 | 19 Nov 1962 |
| 2. | Marotrao Kannamwar | 20 Nov 1962 | 24 Nov 1963 |
| 3. | P. K. Sawant | 25 Nov 1963 | 04 Dec 1963 |
| 4. | Vasantrao Naik | 05 Dec 1963 | 01 Mar 1967 |
| 5. | Vasantrao Naik | 01 Mar 1967 | 13 Mar 1972 |
| 6. | Vasantrao Naik | 13 Mar 1967 | 20 Feb 1975 |
| 7. | Shankarrao Chavan | 21 Feb 1975 | 16 May 1977 |
| 8. | Vasantdada Patil | 17 May 1977 | 05 Mar 1978 |
| 9. | Vasantdada Patil | 05 Mar 1978 | 18 Jul 1978 |
| 10. | Sharad Pawar | 18 Jul 1978 | 17 Feb 1980 |
| 11. | President’s Rule | 17 Feb 1980 | 08 Jun 1980 |
| 12. | Abdul Rehman Antulay | 09 Jun 1980 | 12 Jan 1982 |
| 13. | Babasaheb Bhosale | 21 Jan 1982 | 01 Feb 1983 |
| 14. | Vasantdada Patil | 02 Feb 1983 | 01 Jun 1985 |
| 15. | Shivajirao Patil Nilangekar | 03 Jun 1985 | 06 Mar 1986 |
| 16. | Shankarrao Chavan | 12 Mar 1986 | 26 Jun 1988 |
| 17. | Sharad Pawar | 26 Jun 1988 | 03 Mar 1990 |
| 18. | Sharad Pawar | 04 Mar 1990 | 25 Jun 1991 |
| 19. | Sudhakarrao Naik | 25 Jun 1991 | 22 Feb 1993 |
| 20. | Sharad Pawar | 06 Mar 1993 | 14 Mar 1995 |
| 21. | Manohar Joshi | 14 Mar 1995 | 31 Jan 1999 |
| 22. | Narayan Rane | 01 Feb 1999 | 17 Oct 1999 |
| 23. | Vilasrao Deshmukh | 18 Oct 1999 | 16 Jan 2003 |
| 24. | Sushilkumar Shinde | 18 Jan 2003 | 30 Oct 2004 |
| 25. | Vilasrao Deshmukh | 01 Nov 2004 | 04 Dec 2008 |
| 26. | Ashok Chavan | 08 Dec 2008 | 15 Oct 2009 |
| 27. | Ashok Chavan | 07 Nov 2009 | 09 Nov 2010 |
| 28. | Prithviraj Chavan | 11 Nov 2010 | 26 Sep 2014 |
| 29. | President’s Rule | 28 Sep 2014 | 30 Oct 2014 |
| 30. | Devendra Fadnavis | 31 Oct 2014 | 08 Nov 2019 |
| 31. | President’s Rule | 12 Nov 2019 | 23 Nov 2019 |
| 32. | Devendra Fadnavis | 23 Nov 2019 | 29 Jun 2022 |
| 33. | Eknath Shinde | 30 Jun 2022 | Incumbent |
