Ashok Chavan joins BJP, says decision was difficult

MUMBAI: A day after he quit the Congress, former chief minister Ashok Chavan joined the BJP in the presence of deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and other state BJP leaders at a function in the city.
He said the decision to join the BJP was a "difficult" one for him but he had taken it "in the interest of Maharashtra, the interest of my district and the interest of the nation." He said, "It was not a one-day snap decision.I was with the Congress for more than four decades."
Asked about accusations by Congress leaders that he had left even though their party had given him coveted posts, Chavan said, "The Congress party has given me a lot, but it is a fact that I have also given back substantially to the party. This is a new journey for me."
HC gave verdict in my favour, says Chavan on Adarsh scam
Former Maharashtra CM Ashok Chavan said, “In BJP too, I will work hard, and I will not make any personal comments about Congress.”
On comments related to his alleged involvement in the Adarsh scam made by Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and state Congress chief Nana Patole on Monday, Chavan said, “Bombay HC has given a verdict in my favour. In fact, it was a political accident. Certain agencies have questioned the ruling. I have endured enough and now I feel it is a non-issue.”
Welcoming him into BJP fold, Fadnavis said Chavan’s stature is that of a national leader so his role will be decided by the central BJP leadership. “Many leaders in the country have decided to join BJP as the country is progressing under the leadership of PM. He (Chavan) told us he is not keen on any post in the party but wants to contribute to the growth of the country,” Fadnavis said.
Chavan’s original plan was to join BJP on Thursday. However, the move was brought forward by two days in order to make it easier for him to file nomination papers for the Feb 27 Rajya Sabha polls as a BJP nominee.
BJP had planned a grand event at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, which is in the Marathwada region where the two-term CM has a lot of political clout, to welcome Chavan. However, the Sambhajinagar event too has been postponed owing to the non-availability of Amit Shah.
Chavan was accompanied by his trusted aide and former legislator Amarnath Rajurkar, who has also joined BJP.