Maharashtra Congress leader Ashok Chavan. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan on February 12 resigned from the primary membership of the Congress Party, ending his family’s longstanding association with the grand-old party, and is likely to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP.)
Mr. Chavan submitted his resignation to the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee chief Nana Patole. Earlier in the day, the former Congress leader met Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar and submitted his resignation to the House.
Notably, his letterhead, where he drafted the word “former” in Marathi with a pen, now reflects his designation as “former MLA.”
Speaking to The Hindu, a senior BJP leader confirmed that the 65-year-old former Chief Minister will join the party, bringing along a group of supporters from the Marathwada region. Speculations rife that Mr. Chavan may secure a Rajya Sabha berth from the BJP.
