Maharashtra Congress leader Ashok Chavan. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan on February 12 resigned from the primary membership of the Congress party, ending his family’s 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 “former” in Marathi with a pen, now reflects his designation as “former MLA.”
“Today, I have tendered my resignation as Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from 85-Bhokar Assembly Constituency to the Assembly Speaker Rahulji Narvekar,” Mr. Chavan later posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Later, speaking to mediaperson Mr. Chavan said he has not decided to join any party yet. “ I will clear my stand on joining a party after two days,“ he added.
Speaking to The Hindu, 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. Chavan’s potential entry into the party, BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said: “I 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.”
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 The Hindu. “Mr. Chavan always expressed dissatisfaction with Mr. Patole’s role as MPCC chief and consistently held him responsible for the fall of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government,” he said.
“Mr. Chavan’s decision doesn’t 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. Chavan’s hometown, has a significant Muslim and Dalit population, traditionally strong supporters of the Congress. While leaders may change, our grassroot cadre remains intact,” Mr. Patole told The Hindu.
Further, Mr. Patole said that the current political battle revolves less around ideology and more around apprehensions of the ED, CBI, and Income Tax.
“Mr. Chavan, despite the party’s historical roles for his family—his father serving as chief minister twice and holding significant positions like Defence minister— has opted to leave. He himself was made CM twice by the party, and held several key portfolios in various governments. It’s clear that the primary concern now seems to be investigative agencies and nothing else,” Mr. Patole added.
Mr. Chavan’s father, Shankarrao Bhavrao Chavan, also served as Maharashtra Chief Minister twice, first from 1975 to 1977 and then from March 1986, to June 1988.
“When friends and colleagues leave a political party that has given them much — perhaps much more they deserved — 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,” said AICC General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh.
He further added: “These betrayers don’t realise that their exit opens up vast new opportunities to those whose growth they have always stunted.”
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.