Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday hinted towards a big political shift in the state ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Moments before, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan ended his association with the grand old party publicly, Fadnavis raised speculations over more possible resignations from Opposition leaders and asked everyone to “wait and watch”.
Highlighting the ongoing infighting in Maharashtra Congress, Fadnavis said that several leaders belonging to the grand old party are currently in contact with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and may soon switch their sides.
“I heard about Ashok Chavan from the media. But the only thing I can say now is that several Congress leaders are in touch with the saffron camp. Aage aage dekhiye hota hai kya, (wait and watch to see what happens next)”, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said.
“Several big leaders of other parties want to join BJP. Especially, several Congress leaders are in touch with us because of the behaviour of the senior leadership. They are feeling suffocated in their party. Who all are in our contact that will be revealed soon. Aage aage dekhiye hota hai kya, (wait and watch to see what happens next)”, Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis was quoted as saying.
Ashok Chavan Quits Congress, 3rd Big Exit in A Month
In a big setback for the Congress in Maharashtra ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan on Monday resigned from the primary membership of the party. According to sources, Chavan may join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the coming days.
“I hereby submit my resignation from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress Party with effect from 12/02/2024 noon,” Chavan said in a statement.
Following Chavan’s resignation, sources informed that the saffron camp is likely to either offer a Rajya Sabha seat to him or field him for the crucial Lok Sabha polls. Sources added that 10 to 12 MLAs are also in touch with Chavan and will switch sides in due course.
He served as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra from December 2008 to November 2010, however, he was forced to resign in November 2010 in the wake of the Adarsh housing scam. Chavan, the son of another former Chief Minister Shankarrao Chavan, was believed to be an influential leader in Maharashtra.
Opposition Reacts
Reacting to the series of ongoing resignations from Maharashtra leaders, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took a jibe at the leaders and said that “Washing Machine will always prove more attractive than ideological commitment or personal loyalties”.
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
Further placing a full stop at the ongoing speculations of him being the next in line to quit Congress, former Cabinet minister Aslam Shaikh clarified that he will not resign from Congress.
“I want to clarify that I am not leaving the Congress Party. I urge the media to refrain from spreading false news about my shift to any other party. Let’s maintain decorum and avoid creating unnecessary confusion. Thank you all for your understanding,” he wrote on a post on X.
I want to clarify that I am not leaving the Congress Party (@INCIndia). I urge the media to refrain from spreading false news about my shift to any other party. Let's maintain decorum and avoid creating unnecessary confusion. Thank you all for your understanding.— Aslam Shaikh, INC ???????? (@AslamShaikh_MLA) February 12, 2024
Reacting on Ashok Chavan’s resignation, Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut said, “Ashok Chavan became a BJP member. I can’t believe it. Till yesterday they were together..were discussing..gone today. Like Eknath Mindhe and Ajit Pawar, will Chavan also claim the Congress now and get a hand sign? And will the Election Commission give it to them? Anything can happen in our country!”
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