Can Ashok Chavan Jump Ship, Betray Congress?

On Thursday, Maharashtra Congress leader Ashok Chavan met Devendra Fadnavis at a BJP strategist home.

Ashok Chavan and Fadnavis arrived at BJP strategist Ashish Kulkarni’s residence

Chavan has dismissed claims of his closeness to BJP as “baseless”.

The rumours are more rife in Congress corridors as a number of Congress leaders in Maharashtra doubt Chavan’s political moves

Every year during the Ganpati festival in Maharashtra, political leaders set aside their ideologies and affiliations to come together and celebrate the grand 10-day festival. This year one such big meeting between Ashok Chavan and Devendra Fadnavis has left many scratching their heads.

This week, on Thursday, both the leaders Ashok Chavan and Fadnavis arrived at BJP strategist Ashish Kulkarni’s residence at the same time. However, they have called it a courtesy visit during Ganesh Utsav, rumors of defections and jumping ships are in the air.

Some leaders within the BJP are positive and keeping their fingers crossed. “After Ghulam Nabi Azad’s decision to quit Congress, anything is possible,” a senior Maharashtra BJP leader said, referring to the possibility of some more Congress leaders across the country, including Maharashtra, joining hands with BJP.

“Just wait and watch,” a senior BJP leader, requesting not to be named, told The Indian Express. “Let us not jump to conclusions,” he added, refusing to admit or deny the rumors floating around.

Another senior BJP functionary, however, was positive that those who are worried about their political career in Congress are likely to look for better options. So, a lot can happen in the coming months.

Ashok Chavan calls claims baseless

On asked about this, Chavan has dismissed claims of his closeness to BJP as “baseless”. “In Maharashtra, it is a tradition to pay a visit to each other’s house during Ganpati festival. It has nothing to do with politics,” the former Maharashtra chief minister said, assuring that he is in Congress and would take part in its Bharat Jodo Andolan.

Talks with political leaders suggest that the rumours are more rife in Congress corridors as a number of Congress leaders in Maharashtra doubt Chavan’s political moves and are worried over the party’s future too.

Leaders reminded that during the legislative council elections in June, at least seven Congress MLAs did cross-voting to help BJP candidates. Which resulted in Congress’ Dalit candidate Chandrakant Handore’s loss. Even though the Congress high command sought a detailed report on the development, no disciplinary action was taken against the seven MLCs.

In another incident, a group of 11 MLAs led by Ashok Chavan did not vote during Eknath Shinde’s confidence motion. The BJP-Shinde alliance government got 164 votes, whereas, the Opposition polled just 99 votes.