Former Maharashtra CM Ashok Chavan joins BJP
Says it’s his new journey in political life
When questioned about any communication from senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, Chavan chose not to provide a direct response
Just a day after resigning from the Congress, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan made a significant political manoeuvre on Tuesday, as he officially joined the ranks of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Mumbai.
The 65-year-old Chavan was warmly welcomed into the BJP fold at the party’s Mumbai headquarters in the presence of key figures, including Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Chavan, who has spent nearly four decades in the Congress, expressed that today symbolises the commencement of his fresh political journey.
Son of the former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Union Home Minister S B Chavan, Ashok Chavan’s decision to align with the BJP has sparked speculation that he might be nominated to the Rajya Sabha, a move that could further bolster the BJP’s presence in the upper house of Parliament.
When questioned about any
communication from senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, Chavan chose not to provide a direct response. Furthermore, Chavan defended himself against allegations related to the Adarsh scam, asserting that the Bombay High Court’s decision favoured him and dismissing the issue as a political mishap.
Former Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray has raked up the Adarsh housing scam to target Chavan and said on Monday that if the BJP sends him to the Rajya Sabha, it will amount to disrespecting martyred soldiers.
Thackeray on Tuesday again took a jibe at Chavan and said that instead of going to the BJP, he should have gone and met farmers in Marathwada, who have been affected by the unseasonal rainfall and hailstorm.
Addressing a public rally in Sonai in Ahmednagar district, Thackeray took a potshot at Chavan and said that the Adarsh scam was forgotten