Ashok Chavan joins the BJP for his "New Innings" in politics, Baba Siddiqui calls it a "wake-up call" for Congress

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan on Monday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, a day after ending his 38-year-old stint with the Congress. Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule and Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar welcomed him along with his aide Amar Rajurkar into the party. As per reports, Chavan is likely to file his nomination for the Rajya Sabha polls on Wednesday.

“I have joined the BJP as I wish to contribute to the development work of the central government under the leadership of Narendra Modi. It's an unconditional move without asking for any big post. It's a new innings for me after serving in politics for a long 38 years,” said Ashok Chavan.

Ashok Chavan’s resignation from the grand old party months ahead of the all-important 2024 Lok Sabha elections is yet another blow to the Maharashtra Congress after Baba Siddique and Milind Deora quit earlier this year. Milind Deora has joined the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde, while Baba Siddique has joined the NCP led by Ajit Pawar.

“We are very happy to welcome the stalwart leader of Maharashtra who worked in both the Vidhan Sabha and Lok Sabha, who served as Chief Minister of Maharashtra and in several ministries,” said Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis welcoming Ashok Chavan into the party.

Taking a sharp jibe at the Congress over Chavan’s resignation after 38 years of service, Baba Siddique said that this should act as a “wake-up call” for the grand old party. "More people are going to leave (Congress) because when a person feels suffocated, he tries to find a way. It is a wake-up call for Congress but I don't think they are going to wake up," said Baba Siddique.

Congress was quick to take a jab at Ashok Chavan, with Jairam Ramesh taking the “washing machine” jibe at him. "When friends and colleagues leave a political party that has given them much -- perhaps much more than they deserved -- it is always a matter of anguish. But to those who are vulnerable THAT Washing Machine will always prove more attractive than ideological commitment or personal loyalties," said the senior Congress leader.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut hit out at Ashok Chavan saying that the former Maharashtra Chief Minister was “desperate” to join the Bharatiya Janata Party. “As per my information, since Eknath Shinde joined hands with the BJP, Chavan also at the same time had decided to jump ship. Chavan was making desperate moves to join hands with the BJP,” said Raut.​