Bharat Jodo Yatra: Ashok Chavan’s show of strength in Nanded mutes speculation about switch to BJP

Earlier this year, talks about Ashok Chavan's possible switch to the BJP were rife when he could not reach the state Assembly on time during the trust vote of the Shinde-Fadnavis government.

Congress leader Ashok Chavan on the stage with Rahul Gandhi in Degloor, where the Bharat Jodo Yatra entered Maharashtra on Monday night. (Express photo by Alok Deshpande)

Barely two months ago, former Maharashtra chief minister and senior Congress leader Ashok Chavan was under the scanner after speculation about a likely move to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), but the massive scale at which he has led the organisation of Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ in his home district of Nanded has put those speculations to rest for now.

“I don’t want to comment on those speculations. We are busy organising the yatra and we are focused on making it a grand success,” Chavan told The Indian Express.

The yatra will cover over 104 km in Chavan’s home district Nanded, where Gandhi will address a public meeting on November 10. Chavan has made arrangements for an estimated gathering of over one lakh.

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While the Maharashtra Congress has been given responsibilities to make arrangements for the districts of Hingoli, Washim, Akola and Buldhana, which will be covered by the yatra, Chavan has taken up the responsibility of Nanded single-handedly. “He is handling Nanded with all his strength and putting all his power behind making it a grand success,” said a senior leader from Maharashtra Congress.

Additionally, Chavan’s daughter Shrijaya has been on every banner and poster in the city, hinting at her political debut in the near future. She walked along with Gandhi on Tuesday morning, further fuelling talk of her entry in politics.

Earlier this year, talks about Chavan’s possible switch to the BJP were rife when he, along with 12 other MLAs from Congress and Nationalist Congress Party, could not reach the state Assembly on time during the trust vote of the Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government. As he did not wholeheartedly deny the speculations, many of his detractors within the party had voiced the possibility.

During Ganesh festival, reports had surfaced that he had met Fadnavis at the home of a mutual friend, which further reignited the speculation. Chavan had then clarified that the meeting with Fadnavis did not happen. Many Congress leaders, including Legislative Party leader Balasaheb Thorat, had denied any possibility of Chavan switching over.

Alok Deshpande

Alok Deshpande is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized for his focused and authoritative reporting on governance, politics, and the socio-economic dynamics of Maharashtra's hinterlands. His unique academic background in Geology and early work in the water sector provides a specialized layer of Expertise to his reporting on resource and environmental issues. Expertise Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai. Core Authority: Alok provides detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, with a particular emphasis on how policies and power struggles affect the rural and semi-urban areas (the 'hinterlands'). Key Coverage Areas: His reports frequently focus on high-stakes administrative and political topics, including: State Assembly Proceedings: In-depth reporting on the Legislative Assembly, covering ministerial statements, legislative debates, and inter-party conflict within the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Policy & Finance: Coverage of state finances, including supplementary budget demands, fiscal deficits, and major government schemes (e.g., Jal Jeevan Mission, Ladki Bahin Yojana). Rural and Social Issues: Reports on critical health issues (e.g., child deaths in districts), human-animal conflict (leopard attacks, stray dogs), and agrarian concerns (e.g., farmer suicides). Local and Urban Governance: Covers major announcements regarding urban development (e.g., BMC's OC amnesty scheme, pagdi system push) and local body elections, including political defections and alliance splits. Unique Credentials & Trustworthiness Academic Specialization: Holds a Post-graduate degree in Geology. This background gives him a foundational understanding of natural resources, which directly informs his reporting on environment, water, and infrastructure projects. Early Professional Experience: His shift to journalism came after working with an NGO focused on the water sector. This practical experience strengthens his Expertise in critical areas like water management and rural development, as evidenced by his reporting on the Jal Jeevan Mission. Journalism Training: An alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, confirming his formal training and commitment to rigorous journalistic standards. Alok Deshpande's rare combination of scientific education, non-profit sector experience, and deep political reporting makes him a highly trusted and authoritative voice on the governance and ground realities of Maharashtra. He tweets @alokdesh ... Read More

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