The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has selected former Congress stalwart Ashok Chavan as its candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls from Maharashtra.
Chavan, who recently joined the BJP, expressed his gratitude towards the party leadership for placing their trust in him despite his recent entry into the party fold.
"I cannot describe my feelings in words. The BJP has reposed trust in me even though I joined the party yesterday.
This is a huge responsibility," Chavan remarked to mediapersons, acknowledging the weight of the opportunity bestowed upon him.
Chavan's nomination did not come as a surprise, with speculations circulating since his switch to the BJP that he would secure a Rajya Sabha berth.
Alongside Chavan, the BJP has also nominated former MLA Medha Kulkarni and RSS worker Dr. Ajit Gopchade for the Rajya Sabha seats, with all three candidates expected to secure victory given the BJP's significant presence in the 288-member Assembly.
The biennial elections for the Rajya Sabha seats, which are set to fall vacant as the terms of the incumbent MPs expire, are scheduled for February 27th. In Maharashtra, a total of six seats will be vacated.
With the BJP's current strength of 105 MLAs and support from Independent members and smaller allies, the party is well-positioned to secure three out of the six seats.
The Shiv Sena, NCP, and Congress, on the other hand, are expected to secure one seat each based on their respective strengths in the Assembly.
Chavan's move to the BJP comes after his decades-long association with the Congress, which he parted ways with just a day before joining the ruling party.
His decision to join the BJP and resign as an MLA signals a significant shift in Maharashtra's political landscape and underscores his commitment to strengthening the BJP's presence in the state.
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