Chavan, who submitted his resignation from the primary membership of the Congress party on Monday, is set to join the BJP on Tuesday, according to sources close to the developments. This move is seen as a major setback for the Congress, with speculations rife that some MLAs and office-bearers of the party in Maharashtra might follow suit.
Confirming his decision to join the BJP, Chavan stated, "I am joining the BJP today, it's a new beginning for me. I hope we can work for the constructive development of Maharashtra."
However, this political maneuver has not been without its critics within the Congress ranks. Party leaders have condemned Chavan's decision, labeling it as a "dirty political game" orchestrated by the BJP.
Addressing the media, Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan expressed his disappointment, saying, "Our senior colleague Ashok Chavan has resigned from the party and also as the MLA. It's a sad decision. This had been talked about for a long time. We didn't think he would make this decision."
Chavan further added, "It is really surprising. This hasn't happened in Maharashtra before. It is totally a dirty political game by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)."
Echoing similar sentiments, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took a dig at the BJP, implying that the party's 'washing machine' is powerful but asserted that the Congress will remain resilient despite the departures.
Meanwhile, Ashok Chavan's political journey has been marked by several highs and lows. He served as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra from December 2008 to November 2010 before resigning over corruption allegations related to the Adarsh Housing Society scam.
Chavan, who represents Bhokar, Nanded, as an MLA, is the third significant leader to depart from the Congress in Maharashtra, following the footsteps of former South Mumbai MP Milind Deora and former MLA Baba Siddique.
His departure from the Congress comes amidst reports of strained relations with state party chief Nana Patole. The move is expected to have far-reaching implications for the political landscape in Maharashtra, especially in the lead-up to the upcoming elections.