Former Maha CM Ashok Chavan joins BJP, Dy CM Fadnavis welcomes him
Former Maha CM Ashok Chavan joins BJP, Dy CM Fadnavis welcomes him
Former Maha CM Ashok Chavan has officially joined the BJP on Tuesdsy 13 February, in the presence of Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and state BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule. Dy CM Fadnavis amid welcoming him hailed him as a ‘stalwart leader’
Notedly, Ashok Chavan had worked on both the Vidhan Sabha and Lok Sabha earlier.
Asked if he received any calls from Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, Chavan chose to remain tight-lipped.
Fadnavis further added that they are very happy to welcome the stalwart leader of Maharashtra who worked on both the Vidhan Sabha and Lok Sabha, and had served as CM of Maharashtra and in several ministries. He further appealed to Bawankule to accept Chavan as a primary member of the party.
Later, Fadnavis appealed to state president, Bawankule, to accept Ashok Chavan as a primary member of the BJP by signing the party form. Ashok Chavan paid Rs 500 as fees for a membership.
In the midst of the press conference, Chavan and Fadnavis had a fun moment when the former, in a gaffe, referred to Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar as “Mumbai Congress president.” The remark was followed by uproarious laughter from BJP supporters present at the Mumbai BJP office.
Fadnavis was seen correcting the new BJP leader before bursting into laughter. Chavan later apologised and said that he has just joined the BJP. Hence, the mistake and that he is embarking on a new journey by joining the BJP after 38 years in the Congress and adding that it is his first press conference in the BJP office, please understand.
Chavan also sounded an assuring note when he said that he ensures that BJP will emerge victorious in his belt, be it in Lok Sabha polls or state elections. He also said that Devendra Fadnavis has always been helpful to the development of his region.
He went on to add that It is the culture of Maharashtra that only targeting our political opponents is not the way of politics. We have always been together for the betterment of the state. We have a legacy of stalwart politicians who worked for the development of our state.
When asked about his decision to quit the Congress, Chavan said that it was his personal decision. “It is my personal decision. No one asked me to join the BJP. Till the last minute, I was with my ex-colleagues. But the circumstances were such that I had to take this decision for inclusive growth under the leadership of PM Modi,” he noted.
Ashok Chavan on whether Gandhis called him or not
Asked if he received any calls from Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, Chavan did not respond. He also said that he did not contact any Congress workers or his supporters to join him when he was being inducted to the BJP.
Earlier today, Chavan told reporters, “I am joining the BJP today at its office in Mumbai. Today is the beginning of my new political career.”
Reactions on Ashok Chavan’s resignation
Moreover, senior Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam said that Chavan was upset with the working style of a particular leader in the party.
“He was basically very upset with the working style of a leader from Maharashtra. He had given this information to the top leadership from time to time. Had his complaints been taken seriously, this situation would not have happened,” Nirupam said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Commenting on Ashok Chavan’s resignation, newly minted NCP leader Baba Siddique said more people are going to leave the Congress.
Speaking to a news agency NCP Leader Baba Siddique said that Ashok Chavan called him and he told him that they are going to meet soon in the way ahead.
More people are going to leave because when a person feels suffocated, he tries to find a way. It is a wake-up call for Congress but he doesn’t think they are going to wake up.
They live in La La land, and in an illusion. There must be a reason why people are leaving Congress.
News Edit K.V.Raman