'THAT Washing Machine Will Always Prove More Attractive Than...': Congress After Ashok Chavan Resigns
Former Maharashtra CM Ashok Chavan resigned from the primary membership of the Congress party on February 12.
In an X (formerly Twitter) post, senior Congress party leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday appeared to criticise former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and other leaders who have left the party recently, asserting: "When friends and colleagues leave a political party that has given them much—perhaps much more 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. These betrayers don't realise that their exit opens up vast new opportunities to those whose growth they have always stunted".
When friends and colleagues leave a political party that has given them much—perhaps much more 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…
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) February 12, 2024
Moments after resigning from the primary membership of the Congress party, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan announced that he has yet to decide which party to join and will clarify his stance after two days. Chavan's departure marks the conclusion of his family's longstanding affiliation with the party and is anticipated to precede his potential entry into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), according to media reports.
Chavan addressed reporters, stating: "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 Congress primary membership. I have not decided to join any party. I will clear my stand on joining a party after two days."
#WATCH | After resigning from Congress, Former Maharashtra CM Ashok Chavan says, "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 Congress primary membership. I have not… pic.twitter.com/n0AzYyT6tQ
— ANI (@ANI) February 12, 2024
"Throughout my life, I have been a Congressman and have honestly worked for the party. I don't think every time we have to mention why I have left the party; this is my personal reason," Chavan told reporters.
VIDEO | "Throughout my life, I have been a Congressman and have honestly worked for the party. I don't think every time we have to mention why I have left the party; this is my personal reason," says Ashok Chavan (@AshokChavanINC), who quit the Congress earlier today. pic.twitter.com/56SUT8L3XW
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 12, 2024
Chavan submitted his resignation to Nana Patole, the chief of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee. Earlier in the day, he met with Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar and submitted his resignation to the House.
After former CM Ashok Chavan resigns from the Congress, CLP leader Balasaheb Thorat meets Prithviraj Chavan.
— ANI (@ANI) February 12, 2024
Source: Prithviraj Chavan's Office pic.twitter.com/1j21cQnfkG
Notably, Chavan manually adjusted his letterhead, marking himself as a “former MLA” by writing the word “former” in Marathi with a pen.
“Today, I have tendered my resignation as Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from 85-Bhokar Assembly Constituency to the Assembly Speaker Rahulji Narvekar,” Chavan later posted on X.
आज सोमवार, दि. १२ फेब्रुवारी २०२४ रोजी मी ८५-भोकर विधानसभा मतदारसंघाच्या सदस्यत्वाचा राजीनामा विधानसभा अध्यक्ष राहुलजी नार्वेकर यांच्याकडे दिला आहे.
— Ashok Chavan (@AshokChavanINC) February 12, 2024
Today i.e. on Monday, February 12, 2024, I have tendered my resignation as Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from 85-Bhokar…
According to The Hindu, a senior BJP leader confirmed that the 65-year-old former Chief Minister would join the party, accompanied by a group of supporters from the Marathwada region. Speculations abound that Chavan may secure a Rajya Sabha berth from the BJP.
When questioned about Chavan’s potential entry into the party, BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis remarked: “I learned about Chavan from the media. However, what I can affirm is that several prominent leaders from Congress are in contact with the BJP. Leaders associated with the public are expressing dissatisfaction within the Congress. I am confident that some prominent figures will switch to the BJP”.
#WATCH | Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis says, "Several tall leaders of other parties want to join BJP. Especially, several Congress leaders are in touch with us because of the behaviour of the senior leaders. They are feeling suffocated in their party...Who all are in… pic.twitter.com/7rUk9AeTsS
— ANI (@ANI) February 12, 2024
“Several tall leaders of other parties want to join the BJP. Especially, several Congress leaders are in touch with us because of the behaviour of the senior leaders. They are feeling suffocated in their party...Who all are in our contact that will be revealed soon…Aage aage dekhiye hota hai kya (wait and watch what happens next),” Fadnavis told the media.
Congress leader and LoP in the state assembly, Vijay Wadettiwar, expressed surprise at Ashok Chavan's resignation, highlighting the lack of clarity on the sudden decision. He told ANI, "Ashok Chavan's resignation is shocking. The reason for the sudden resignation is not clear. He did not discuss it with me. I have worked with him for 16 years. He will explain the reason for his resignation. The way BJP is breaking the party (Congress)...voters will teach them a lesson."
Chandrapur, Maharashtra | Congress leader and LoP in state assembly Vijay Wadettiwar says, "Ashok Chavan's resignation is shocking. The reason for the sudden resignation is not clear. He did not discuss it with me. I have worked with him for 16 years. He will explain the reason… pic.twitter.com/lTdKjHpzB9
— ANI (@ANI) February 12, 2024
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