Former Maharashtra CM Ashok Chavan Joins BJP, Day After Quitting Congress; Likely To File Nomination For Rajya Sabha Polls Tomorrow

A day after quitting the Congress, former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday (13 February).

Chavan, completing the process of his transition, formally became a member of the BJP at the party’s headquarters in Nariman Point, Mumbai.

BJP leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was also present on the occasion.

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"It is my sincere effort to make contribution to state and country under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi. After 38 years of political career in Congress, I took the decision to join BJP," Chavan said, Indian Express reported.

Chavan will be filing nomination papers for the upcoming Rajya Sabha election tomorrow, NDTV reported citing sources.

Chavan's exit from the Congress adds to the recent trend of high-profile leaders exiting the party in Maharashtra ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, with Milind Deora and Baba Siddique preceding him within the last month.

Milind Deora joined Eknath Shinde led Shiv Sena, a BJP ally in Maharashtra, while Siddique joined Ajit Pawar led NCP, another BJP ally.

Earlier on Monday (12 February), after resigning from the Congress, Chavan said that he would announce his next step within 48 hours. 

"I have resigned from the Assembly membership as an MLA. I have given my resignation to the Speaker. I have resigned from the Congress Working Committee and the Congress primary membership. I have not decided to join any party. I will clear my stand on joining a party after two days," Chavan had told reporters after resigning from the party.

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