Maharashtra Congress leader Ashok Chavan. File
| Photo Credit: Today News 24
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan on February 12 resigned from the primary membership of the Congress party, ending his familyтАЩs longstanding association with the grand-old party. Speculations are ripe that he is likely to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP.)
Mr. Chavan submitted his resignation to the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee chief Nana Patole. Earlier in the day, the former Congress leader met Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar and submitted his resignation to the House.
Notably, his letterhead, where he drafted the word тАЬformerтАЭ in Marathi with a pen, now reflects his designation as тАЬformer MLA.тАЭ
тАЬToday, I have tendered my resignation as Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from 85-Bhokar Assembly Constituency to the Assembly Speaker Rahulji Narvekar,тАЭ Mr. Chavan later posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Later, speaking to mediaperson Mr. Chavan said he has not decided to join any party yet. тАЬ I will clear my stand on joining a party after two days,тАЬ he added.
Speaking to Today News 24, a senior BJP leader confirmed that the 65-year-old former Chief Minister will join the party, bringing along a group of supporters from the Marathwada region. Speculations rife that Mr. Chavan may secure a Rajya Sabha berth from the BJP.
When asked about Mr. ChavanтАЩs potential entry into the party, BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said: тАЬI learned about Mr. Chavan from the media. However, what I can affirm is that several prominent leaders from Congress are in contact with the BJP. Leaders associated with the public are expressing dissatisfaction within the Congress. I am confident that some prominent figures will switch to the BJP.тАЭ
Not surprising, says MPCC chief Nana Patole
The discord between Mr. Chavan and Mr. Patole likely influenced his choice to change allegiance, a senior leader from Congress told Today News 24.┬атАЬMr. Chavan always expressed dissatisfaction with Mr. PatoleтАЩs role as MPCC chief and consistently held him responsible for the fall of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government,тАЭ he said.
тАЬMr. ChavanтАЩs decision doesnтАЩt come as a surprise. It has been in the works for more than five years, and the high command has been informed about it repeatedly. Nanded district, Mr. ChavanтАЩs hometown, has a significant Muslim and Dalit population, traditionally strong supporters of the Congress. While leaders may change, our grassroot cadre remains intact,тАЭ Mr. Patole told Today News 24.
Further, Mr. Patole said that the current political battle revolves less around ideology and more around apprehensions of the ED, CBI, and Income Tax.
тАЬMr. Chavan, despite the partyтАЩs historical roles for his familyтАФhis father serving as chief minister twice and holding significant positions like Defence ministerтАФ has opted to leave. He himself was made CM twice by the party, and held several key portfolios in various governments. ItтАЩs clear that the primary concern now seems to be investigative agencies and nothing else,тАЭ Mr. Patole added.
Mr. ChavanтАЩs father, Shankarrao Bhavrao Chavan, also served as Maharashtra Chief Minister twice, first from 1975 to 1977 and then from March 1986, to June 1988.
тАЬWhen friends and colleagues leave a political party that has given them much тАФ perhaps much more they deserved тАФ it is always a matter of anguish. But to those who are vulnerable, that Washing Machine will always prove more attractive than ideological commitment or personal loyalties,тАЭ said AICC General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh.
He further added: тАЬThese betrayers donтАЩt realise that their exit opens up vast new opportunities to those whose growth they have always stunted.тАЭ
Mr. Chavan along with a few Congress MLAs is likely to join BJP in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and party chief J. P. Nadda later this week.
