Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan has officially resigned from the Congress party, signaling a potential move to join the BJP, a party he has opposed vigorously on ideological grounds for decades.
Despite speculation about his defection, the Congress leadership had recently included Chavan in the Congress Working Committee, although senior leaders from Maharashtra had expressed concerns that he might defect at any time. On Monday, members of the Congress’s central leadership discussed Chavan’s vulnerabilities, prompting questions about the decision to accommodate him despite suspicions.
Jairam Ramesh, the Congress communications chief, expressed his disappointment on X, stating, “When friends and colleagues leave a political party that has given them much — perhaps much more than 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. These betrayers don’t realise that their exit opens up vast new opportunities to those whose growth they have always stunted.” Ramesh questioned the leaders’ lack of concern for ideology and personal loyalty.
Chavan’s departure marks the third prominent leader to leave the Congress in the past month. While Milind Deora joined the Eknath Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena, Baba Siddique, a popular leader from Mumbai, joined the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP. Sources suggest that more leaders may defect from the Congress in the coming weeks.
Chavan’s tenure as Maharashtra chief minister ended amid controversy over his relatives obtaining flats in the Adarsh Society intended for soldiers, along with pending criminal cases against him. Despite Narendra Modi’s criticism of Chavan for allegedly “stealing” flats meant for soldiers, the Prime Minister has shown a willingness to embrace tainted leaders from various parties.
As the son of Congress stalwart S.B. Chavan, Ashok Chavan holds significant influence in the Nanded district, and his departure is expected to impact the party. Speculation suggests that the BJP may nominate him to the Rajya Sabha, following a similar move with other Congress defectors such as R.P.N. Singh from Uttar Pradesh. Previously, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Jitin Prasada, both considered close to Rahul Gandhi, also joined the BJP.
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut expressed astonishment at Chavan’s departure from the Congress, raising questions about his potential claim on the Congress party symbol, given recent precedents with Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar.