Mumbai: In a major political development, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and former Congress MLC Amar Rajurkar joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday, a day after they quit the Congress.
The two leaders were welcomed by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and BJP state president Chandrakant Bawankule at the party’s office in Mumbai. They were also felicitated with garlands and BJP flags.
Chavan, who was a prominent face of the Congress in the state, said he was joining the BJP to start a new journey of his political career. He refrained from giving specific reasons for leaving the Congress, but hinted at his dissatisfaction with the party’s decisions and functioning.
“I have quit the Congress party, as MLA and from all other party posts. I have no complaints and till yesterday I worked honestly for the party. But today, I am going to start a new journey of my political career, I am going to join BJP,” Chavan told reporters.
Chavan is the son of late Congress leader Shankarrao Chavan, who was also a former Chief Minister and Union Minister. He had served as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra from 2008 to 2010 and was also a former MP from Nanded. He had held various portfolios in the state government, including transport, public works, urban development, and cultural affairs.
Rajurkar, who was a close aide of Chavan, also expressed his confidence in the BJP’s leadership and vision. He said he was impressed by the work done by the BJP-led government in the state and the Centre.
“I have decided to join the BJP after seeing the development work done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. I am sure that the BJP will provide a better future for Maharashtra and the country,” Rajurkar said.
The induction of Chavan and Rajurkar is seen as a big boost for the BJP ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, as they are expected to strengthen the party’s base in the Marathwada region, especially in Nanded district, which is considered as a Congress stronghold.
The move is also a setback for the Congress, which has been facing a series of defections and resignations in the state. Earlier, former South Mumbai MP Milind Deora and former MLA Baba Siddique had also quit the party. The Congress is currently in talks with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to finalise an alliance for the Lok Sabha polls.
