In a dramatic turn of events, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan has officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday, dealing a significant blow to the Congress party. Chavan’s decision comes hot on the heels of his resignation from the Congress, citing dissatisfaction with the party’s decisions in the state.
Chavan, the son of former chief minister and Union Home Minister S B Chavan, is set to file his nomination for the Rajya Sabha on February 14, signaling his firm commitment to his new political alignment. His departure from the Congress marks another setback for the party, which has seen a series of prominent leaders defecting in recent times.
The move follows closely after senior Congress leader Baba Siddique’s exit to Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Milind Deora’s resignation from the primary membership of the party earlier in January, ending a long-standing association of his family with the Congress.
Chavan’s resignation has not only sparked reactions within the political arena but also raised eyebrows among observers. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hinted at further developments with a cryptic remark, “Aagey aagey dekho hota hai kya” (wait and watch what happens next).
Opposition leaders have been quick to respond, with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray accusing the BJP of transforming into a “Congress occupied BJP.” Thackeray expressed concern over the potential repercussions on state farmers’ welfare if leaders prioritize personal interests over public service.
Speculation has arisen regarding the possible motivations behind Chavan’s departure, with some linking it to the mention of the Adarsh Building scam in a recent white paper tabled in Parliament. The Adarsh Building scandal, which led to Chavan’s resignation as Chief Minister in 2010, saw him accused of involvement in the construction of a 31-storey building in south Mumbai allegedly on defense ministry land without proper permissions and clearances.
Charges including criminal conspiracy and cheating under the Indian Penal Code, as well as violations of the Prevention of Corruption Act, were pressed against Chavan. However, the matter remains pending before the Supreme Court, which stayed the case proceedings in 2018.
