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In a significant blow to the Congress party’s prospects in Maharashtra, senior leader Padmakar Valvi has made the decision to defect to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) just ahead of the highly anticipated Lok Sabha elections.
The defection of Padmakar Valvi, a former MLA known for his influence in north Maharashtra, represents a notable setback for the Congress party. Valvi, who previously served as the sports minister in the state and represented the Shahada constituency in Nandurbar, made his allegiance shift official in a ceremony attended by state BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule and senior party leader Ashok Chavan in Mumbai.
Having secured victory in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections from the Shahada Constituency in 2009, Valvi’s political fortunes suffered a setback in 2014 when he faced defeat. Speculation regarding his potential move to the BJP had been rife for the past couple of years, signaling underlying discontent within the Congress ranks.
Valvi’s decision to switch parties couldn’t have come at a more crucial juncture, as discussions between the NDA and I.N.D.I.A bloc parties are underway regarding a seat-sharing formula for Maharashtra in the upcoming Lok Sabha Polls 2024. His move underscores the fluidity of alliances and the strategic maneuvering taking place in the run-up to the elections.
Chandrashekhar Bawankule, the state president of the BJP in Maharashtra, seized upon Valvi’s defection to highlight growing discontent within the Congress ranks. He anticipates a significant exodus from the party, with disillusioned leaders seeking refuge in the BJP and other political factions.
