Ashok Chavan was desperate to join BJP to keep ED, I-T away: Sanjay Raut

What hastened Chavan’s move, Raut said, was the mention about Adarsh scam in the White Paper of the Modi government. ”It is true that Chavan was offered Rajya Sabha seat after much discussions. However, the mention of Adarsh scam must have gotten him jittery,” Raut said.

The Rajya Sabha MP said Uddhav Thackeray and Ashok Chavan have a cordial relationship. ”Chavan is an astute politician and a good administrator. Everyone acknowledges this. He has vast political experience. He has good control over Congress’ organisation and network. His decision is more in his interest than a blow for Congress,” he said.

Raut said Uddhav Thackeray spoke to Ashok Chavan over phone on Monday. ”Uddhav told Chavan that he has taken a wrong decision,” said Raut.

Meanwhile, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) spokesperson Vikas Lavande said, ”When Ajit Pawar joined hands with BJP last year in July, Chavan too decided to follow him.”

“When Ajit dada called me to his residence on July 2 last year, Ashok Chavan too turned up. Ajit dada then told me that we will discuss our issues later…After I left, both of them held discussions for long. It is clear that Chavan had decided to join BJP during that time,” said Lavande.