In a significant turn of events in Mumbai's political landscape, Baba Siddique, a seasoned politician who recently shifted allegiance from the Congress to the NCP, shared his insights on Ashok Chavan's departure from the Congress. Chavan, a former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) recently, citing his alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's development agenda.
Siddique, known for his candid perspectives, emphasized that the Congress should perceive Chavan's exit as a wake-up call. The veteran politician revealed that Chavan had personally reached out to him, expressing the belief that their paths would intersect in the near future.
While Ashok Chavan has not disclosed the exact reasons behind his departure from the Congress, Siddique shed light on the prevailing sentiment within the party, stating that individuals are experiencing a sense of suffocation.
"Ashok Chavan called me, and I conveyed to him that we will soon meet to discuss the way forward. The increasing exodus indicates a deeper issue within the Congress. It should serve as a wake-up call, but I doubt if they will heed it," remarked Siddique, underlining the need for introspection within the Congress.
Siddique, now a prominent figure in the NCP, criticized the Congress for living in what he termed a "La-la land," implying a detachment from ground realities. He pointed out the unfortunate trend of leaders departing from a party established in 1885, urging the Congress to decipher the reasons behind the exodus.
"The Congress seems oblivious to the writing on the wall. For a party with such historical significance, the mass departure of members demands serious reflection. There must be underlying causes fueling these exits," Siddique asserted.
When probed about the motivations driving leaders away from the Congress, Siddique attributed it to decisions made by the high command. Expressing his viewpoint, he stated, "I believe this is not merely a consequence of specific leaders but stems from collective decisions made by the high command. Non-elected individuals deciding the fate of the party, including those who have never contested elections, contributes to the dissatisfaction."
Drawing parallels to earlier occurrences, Siddique referenced Milind Deora's departure from the Congress earlier in the year. Deora, like Chavan, opted to join a different political landscape by aligning with Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena.
In response to these political shifts, Ashok Chavan, now a member of the BJP, clarified that his decision was unconditional and not contingent on any specific demands. He expressed his eagerness to contribute to the developmental initiatives led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"I have joined the BJP with the intention of contributing to the development work of the central government led by Narendra Modi. It's an unconditional move without asking for any post. It's a new inning for me after serving in politics for a long 38 years," declared Chavan, making his stance clear after formally joining the BJP in the presence of Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.
As Mumbai witnesses these political realignments, the unfolding narrative suggests a broader reassessment within established political entities, urging leaders and parties to adapt to the evolving dynamics of public sentiment and political discourse.