Maharashtra: Ashok Chavan quits Cong, likely to join BJP; Dy CM Fadnavis says 'Aagey aagey dekho hota hai kya'

Congress, which has been facing blows-after-blows ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2024, on Monday got another jolt after Maharashtra's former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan quit the party amid speculation that he is veering towards BJP.

Chavan's exit from Congress comes days after senior Maharashtra Congress leaders Baba Siddique and Milind Deora quit the grand old party.

'Aagey aagey dekho hota hai kya'

Amid speculations that Chavan (65) will join the BJP, Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis while talking to reporters on Monday, said:  "Aagey aagey dekho hota hai kya (wait and watch what happens."

'Several top Congress leaders are in touch with BJP'

Fadnavis further said, "Several tall leaders of other parties want to join BJP. Especially, several Congress leaders are in touch with us because of the behaviour of the senior leaders. They are feeling suffocated in their party."

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"The leaders of other parties who are willing to join the BJP believe that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, they will work for the people. Several people from MVA are in touch with us," he said.

"Who all are in our contact that will be revealed soon," he assured.

What BJP will offer to Ashok Chavan?

As per sources, Chavan's entry into the BJP is almost certain. Two options are being mulled over for the role that he would be offered. Either the Maharashtra politician will get a Rajya Sabha seat, or contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls on BJP's ticket.

'No one wants to stay in Congress'

Commenting on Chavan's resignation from Congress, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule said: "There is discord in Maharashtra Congress, Ashok Chavan has resigned, and there are internal fights in Congress. There is no leader, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is abusing the OBC community, that is why no one wants to stay with them, and that is why people are leaving. Yes, if anyone wants to join BJP then they are welcome."

Chavan's resignation letter to Congress

In a letter to Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole, Chavan said he was resigning as a primary member of the grand old party. He also submitted his resignation as an MLA to Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar.

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

Chavan, who hails from the Nanded district in the Marathwada region, stepped down from the chief ministerial post in 2010 for his alleged involvement in the Adarsh housing scam in Mumbai.

He was also state Congress chief during 2014-19.

Chavan's father late Shankarrao Chavan was also the chief minister of Maharashtra.

With inputs from agencies