Ashok Chavan, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, has resigned from the Congress party, sparking rumors of his switch to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Chavan tendered his resignation to Nana Patole, the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee chief, marking an end to his family’s long association with the Congress. Speculations are rife that he may join the BJP.
In a significant move, Chavan met Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar to submit his resignation to the House. His resignation letter, bearing the word “former” in Marathi, now denotes his status as an ex-MLA.
Addressing the media, Chavan stated that he hasn’t yet made a decision about joining any political party and will announce his stance after two days.
Reports suggest that the 65-year-old politician is set to join the BJP, along with a group of supporters from the Marathwada region. There are talks of him securing a Rajya Sabha berth from the BJP.
Responding to inquiries about Chavan’s potential entry into the BJP, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis mentioned that several prominent Congress leaders are in contact with the BJP, expressing dissatisfaction within the Congress.
The discord between Chavan and Patole is believed to have influenced Chavan’s decision to switch sides. The MPCC chief Nana Patole remarked that Chavan’s departure wasn’t unexpected, considering the simmering discord and the growing influence of investigative agencies like the ED, CBI, and Income Tax in politics.
Chavan hails from a political family, with his father, Shankarrao Bhavrao Chavan, serving as Maharashtra Chief Minister twice. Despite the historical roles played by his family in the Congress, Chavan’s move highlights concerns about the increasing influence of investigative agencies in political decisions.
AICC General Secretary Jairam Ramesh expressed disappointment over Chavan’s departure, emphasizing the importance of ideological commitment over personal gains.
Chavan, along with some Congress MLAs, is expected to formally join the BJP later this week in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and party chief J. P. Nadda.
