Months before the Lok Sabha elections, former Maharashtra Chief Minister and influential member of the Congress’s Ashok Chavan announced his resignation from the party on Monday, dealing another blow to the opposition alliance INDIA bloc. This occurs just a few days after prominent Maharashtra Congressman Baba Siddique and Milind Deora left the venerable organization.
He submitted his resignation from the Indian National Congress Party primary membership effective at noon on December 2, 2024, in a brief letter to Nana Patole, the head of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee.
The 65-year-old leader also emailed the speaker his resignation as an MLA.
Following his resignation, Chavan told reporters, “ I have tendered my resignation from all positions within the Congress Party, including that of MLA, I ‘ll decide what needs to be done in the coming days. After working for Congress all my life, I am looking for other opportunities. Sources claim that the BJP will probably offer Chavan a seat in the Rajya Sabha. Ten to twelve MLAs, according to the sources, are in contact with Chavan as well and plan to change sides eventually.
BJP leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis asked to wait and see what happened amid rumors about Chavan’s next move.
The media is how I first learned about Ashok Chavan. However, at this point, all I can say is that a number of excellent Congress leaders have communication lines open to the BJP. Congress is stifling those leaders who have a connection to the people. I have no doubt that a few well known faces will join Congress. He said,” Aagge aagge dekho hota haii kyaa,” which translates to wait and see what will happen in the coming days.
Chavan was regarded as one of the most significant Congress figures in Maharashtra. He led the state as chief minister from December 2008 to November 2010. Due to his suspected involvement in the Mumbai Adarsh housing scam, he resigned in 2010.
A few of Chavan’s supporters also quit the party following his resignation. Along with Chavan, Amarnath Rajukar , a former member of Maharashtra Legislative Council whose term ended, resigned from all of his positions in the Congress. In the presence of Fadnavis and BJP Mumbai president Ashish Shelar, Jagdish Amin, a councilor and the district president of Mumbai, also quit from his party position and joined the BJP.
After Chavan’s exit, prominent Congress leader Jairam Ramesh got a jibe at him, saying. These betrayers are unaware that those whose growth they have always stunted will have a plethora of new opportunities once they leave. It is always painful when friends and coworkers depart from a political party that has given them a lot- possibly much more than they deserve. However, he continued, THAT Washing Machine continues to prove more alluring to those who are weak than ideological commitment or personal allegiance.
