In a significant blow to the crisis-ridden Congress in Maharashtra, former chief minister Ashok Chavan has resigned from the party. This comes as a major setback for the Congress ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha and assembly elections. Chavan, a veteran leader and influential Maratha figure, has a significant following in the Marathwada region. His exit leaves the party without a prominent face in the area. Chavan was directly involved in seat-sharing talks with the NCP and Shiv Sena for the upcoming elections. However, he denied immediate plans to join the BJP, but stated that he would decide on his future course of action in the next two days.

Reports of Chavan’s potential exit from the Congress had been circulating for some time, although he had previously denied these claims. His resignation marks the third high-profile departure from the party, following the resignations of Milind Deora and Baba Siddique. Chavan, a five-term MLA from the Bhokar constituency in Nanded district, submitted his resignation from the assembly, the Congress Working Committee, and the primary membership of the party on Monday.

Chavan, who served as Chief Minister of Maharashtra twice between 2008 and 2010, comes from a political legacy. His father, S B Chavan, was also a two-time Chief Minister and served as Union Home Minister. The Chavan family has enjoyed considerable goodwill in the Marathwada region, which has contributed to Ashok Chavan’s significant influence and following there. The Marathwada Congress unit was taken aback by Chavan’s decision, although senior party leaders claim that they had sensed the possibility.

As the Congress grapples with the loss of these prominent faces and the lack of a strong presence in the Marathwada region, it faces an uphill battle in the upcoming elections. Chavan’s departure has created a void that will need to be filled, and the party will have to strategize to regain its momentum in Maharashtra.

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