Maharashtra Politics: Here's Why Ashok Chavan Quits Congress To Join BJP Ahead of Elections

In yet another setback to the party's Maharashtra unit, Veteran Congress leader and former chief minister Ashok Chavan has resigned the party's primary membership. It is pertinent to note that this decision came months before the Lok Sabha elections and state polls.  

This development comes amid reports that he was in talks with the BJP to join the ruling coalition. The senior leader may get a ticket to the Rajya Sabha, media reports stated.

On Monday morning, February 12, Chavan wrote to Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Pataole declaring his resignation. Later, Ashok Chavan met Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar. 

"Today i.e. on Monday, February 12, 2024, I have tendered my resignation as Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from 85-Bhokar Assembly Constituency to the Assembly Speaker Rahulji Narvekar," said Ashok Chavan in a post on X.

आज सोमवार, दि. १२ फेब्रुवारी २०२४ रोजी मी ८५-भोकर विधानसभा मतदारसंघाच्या सदस्यत्वाचा राजीनामा विधानसभा अध्यक्ष राहुलजी नार्वेकर यांच्याकडे दिला आहे.
Today i.e. on Monday, February 12, 2024, I have tendered my resignation as Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from 85-Bhokar…

— Ashok Chavan (@AshokChavanINC) February 12, 2024

As per media reports, Chavan's differences with state party chief Nana Patole on selection of candidates may have played a major role in his decision to switch sides.

According to party sources, few other Congress MLAs – Naseem Khan, Subhash Dhote, Jitesh Antarpurkar, Chandrakant Handore and Amar Rajurkar – are likely to follow Ashok Chavan’s lead. There are two Congress MLAs from Nagpur who are considered close to Ashok Chavan, these include Raju Parve and Vikas Thackeray.

Ashok Chavan is MLA from Nanded. Chavan, who represents Bhokar in the Assembly, holds significant influence in his region and this switch could possibly impact Congress in the upcoming polls.

Moreover, if he joins the BJP, it will be the second major change in Maharashtra after Congress leader Milind Deora left the party last month and joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

Last week, Baba Siddique last week declared his decision to end his 48-year-old association with the Grand Old Party.

Also Read: Former corporators from Ghatkopar join Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena