In the bustling city of Mumbai, Ashok Chavan, the erstwhile Chief Minister of Maharashtra and former stalwart of the Congress party, announced his intention to join the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the day following his resignation from the Congress. Declaring it as the inception of a new chapter in his political journey, Chavan officially confirmed his affiliation with the BJP at their Mumbai headquarters. Expressing optimism, he articulated, “Today marks the commencement of a fresh phase in my political trajectory. I am formally embracing the BJP in their party precincts, anticipating our joint efforts towards the progressive development of Maharashtra.”
Scheduled to make his entry into the BJP at approximately noon, Chavan will be in the company of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, party luminary Ashish Shelar, and Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule. This move places the Congress in a precarious position, as Chavan is speculated to become the BJP’s Rajya Sabha nominee for the Nanded constituency in Maharashtra.
Chavan tendered his resignation from the primary membership of the Congress party on the preceding Monday. Insider sources suggest that Chavan is on the verge of becoming the BJP’s Rajya Sabha representative from Maharashtra’s Nanded constituency, intensifying the predicament for the Congress.
Addressing the media after submitting his resignation to Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Nana Patole, Chavan delineated, “I have relinquished my role as an MLA in the Assembly. The Speaker has received my resignation. I have stepped down from the Congress Working Committee and severed ties with the Congress as a primary member.”
In the wake of this development, numerous Congress leaders decried Chavan’s decision, labeling it as a ‘sordid political maneuver.’ Party stalwart Prithviraj Chavhan remarked, “Our esteemed colleague Ashok Chavan has severed ties with the party and vacated the MLA position. It is a disheartening decision, one that had been whispered about for an extended period. The circumstances leading to this choice remain known only to him. Despite being appointed as the state CM on two occasions, the reasons for his discontent are known solely to him.”
Expressing incredulity at the situation, Chavhan continued, “This is a profoundly distressing situation. All members of the Congress Legislative Party stand united. Rumors propagated by BJP leaders suggesting connections with certain individuals are baseless.” Asserting his perspective, he added, “This unprecedented event in Maharashtra is an unequivocal demonstration of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) engaging in a dubious political game.”
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took a satirical jab at the BJP, characterizing their internal processes as a ‘potent washing machine.’ He quipped, “It is evident that the specialized washing machine operative within our nation holds formidable capabilities. The departure of a few individuals does not spell the demise of the Congress. While there is a sense of melancholy, it shall not undermine the resilience of the party.”
Ashok Chavan, who held positions as the Vice President and General Secretary of the Maharashtra Pradesh Youth Congress Committee from 1986 to 1995, served in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for three consecutive terms, spanning from 1999 to May 2014. His tenure as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra State lasted from December 8, 2008, to November 9, 2010.
His political journey faced a significant setback on November 9, 2010, when the Congress Party requested his resignation over corruption allegations linked to the Adarsh Housing Society scandal. Despite securing victory in the 2014 general elections from the Nanded constituency, he lost his seat to Pratap Patil Chikhalikar of the BJP in 2019. Notably, Chavan is the third prominent figure to depart from the Congress in Maharashtra, following the footsteps of former South Mumbai MP Milind Deora and ex-MLA Baba Siddique. The reported discord between Chavan and state party chief Nana Patole further exacerbates the challenges faced by the Congress party.