Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Ashok Chavan rejects Rahul Gandhi's claims, denies meeting Sonia Gandhi, terms it as 'baseless'

Ashok Chavan resigned from the Congress party and was shortly thereafter nominated by the BJP as a member of the Rajya Sabha.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajya Sabha member Ashok Chavan, who resigned from the Congress party last month, rejected allegations of meeting Sonia Gandhi before leaving the party. He dismissed senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's remarks made during a rally in Mumbai on March 17, where the Wayanad MP claimed that a Maharashtra leader had tearfully expressed shame to Sonia Gandhi for not being able to "fight this power any more and didn't want to go to jail." Chavan vehemently denied these allegations, asserting that he did not have any such meeting with Sonia Gandhi.

Also Read | Lok Sabha Election 2024 LIVE: EC orders removal of West Bengal DGP, Home Secretaries of six states

In his comments, Rahul Gandhi alleged that a "senior leader" had switched allegiance to the BJP to avoid scrutiny by probe agencies, echoing longstanding accusations leveled by the opposition. The opposition has continuously alleged that the ruling party exploits agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Income Tax department to intimidate political opponents, especially in the run-up to elections.

In a video message on March 18, Chavan responded to Rahul Gandhi's statement, noting that the Congress leader did not mention anyone by name during the rally on march 17. However, Chavan stated that if Rahul Gandhi's remarks were directed at him, they would be illogical and baseless.

Chavan clarified that until his resignation from the Congress, he was working at the party headquarters. He mentioned that he resigned from the post of MLA and shortly afterward resigned from the party, and until then, nobody knew about his decision to resign.

Also Read | 'Who will destruct Shakti to be decided on June 4': PM Modi takes a jibe at Rahul Gandhi

"I never met Sonia Gandhi. It is baseless (to say) that I met Sonia Gandhi and expressed my emotions. It is a political statement from the election point of view," Chavan said.

This year, two heavyweight political leaders from Maharashtra resigned from the Congress party. Former Union minister Milind Deora joined the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde, while Chavan shifted allegiance to the BJP.

Chavan, 65, and the son of former chief minister SB Chavan, had stated that his decision to depart from the Congress was independent and refrained from attributing specific reasons for his exit.

After resigning from the Congress last month, Chavan joined the ruling BJP. Subsequently, he was nominated by the BJP for the Rajya Sabha poll from Maharashtra. Chavan was later declared elected to the Rajya Sabha unopposed.

Also Read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Model Code of Conduct, fines for violations, and all that you need to know

In 2010, Chavan stepped down as the Maharashtra chief minister amid allegations of involvement in the Adarsh housing scam in Mumbai. Chavan hails from Nanded district in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra. He served as the state Congress chief from 2014 to 2019. Chavan represented the Bhokar assembly seat and also previously served as the Member of Parliament from the Nanded Lok Sabha constituency.