A major setback for Maharashtra Congress: twelve of its suspended corporators have defected to the BJP, sworn in by state president Ravindra Chavan. This high-profile switch highlights deepening fissures within the grand old party.
The corporators, representing diverse regions, cited ideological differences and leadership failures as reasons for jumping ship. ‘We seek a platform that delivers on people’s aspirations,’ one of them stated post-induction.
Chavan described the event as a ‘homecoming’ for true public servants, predicting it would invigorate BJP’s municipal outreach. The ceremony symbolized BJP’s aggressive expansion strategy in urban areas.
This comes against the backdrop of Congress’s declining influence in Maharashtra, where BJP has steadily gained ground. Analysts point to organizational weaknesses and failure to counter BJP’s narrative as contributing factors.
While Congress leaders downplay the impact, the optics are damaging. The party now faces the challenge of retaining loyalty amid whispers of more exits. For BJP, it’s a morale booster as it eyes dominance in civic polls.