Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan Resigns from Congress: A Shift in Maharashtra's Political Landscape

He is the third prominent leader to have left the party in the past month after Milind Deora and Baba Siddique.

Ashok Chavan, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, made headlines today by announcing his departure from the Congress party. Alongside stepping down from his role in the party, he also resigned from his position as a Member of the Legislative Assembly. Chavan's decision follows in the wake of prominent leaders like Milind Deora and Baba Siddique, who parted ways with the Congress in recent weeks.

Chavan, hailing from the influential Maratha community, boasts a political lineage as the son of Shankarrao Chavan, a former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Union Home Minister. However, his tenure faced significant scrutiny, notably during the Adarsh housing scam in 2010, leading to his resignation as Chief Minister. Allegations surfaced regarding his involvement in approving additional floor space in Mumbai's Adarsh Housing Society, which was designated for war widows and retired defense personnel, allegedly for the benefit of his relatives.

Although Chavan's legal troubles persisted, with the Central Bureau of Investigation accusing him, the Supreme Court stayed the trial in 2018 following the Bombay High Court's decision to quash the state governor's sanction to prosecute him. Despite these challenges, Chavan continued to play a significant role within the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, serving as its president from 2015 to 2019.

In light of Chavan's resignation, there is speculation regarding the political landscape in Maharashtra. Bharatiya Janata Party's Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hinted at potential defections from the Congress, suggesting that leaders "connected with the masses" may be feeling disillusioned within the party. This development underscores the ongoing shifts and realignments within Maharashtra's political arena.