Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024: Gopaldas Agrawal and Bhaskarrao Khatgaonkar Exit BJP For Congress

Senior Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) member and former legislator Gopaldas Agrawal is expected to join Congress today, September 13, just before the state assembly elections. Agrawal, who served three terms in the state legislative assembly from Gondia, left BJP due to a lack of local support and has informed BJP President J P Nadda and other key leaders of his decision.

In another move, Bhaskarrao Khatgaonkar, a veteran politician with three terms as an MLA and three as an MP, is also anticipated to join Congress. Khatgaonkar expressed dissatisfaction with the BJP for not granting him MLC opportunities. He, along with his supporters and daughter-in-law Meenal, is set to make the announcement today. Khatgaonkar is the brother-in-law of former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, who recently joined BJP.

A senior Congress leader indicated that Agrawal's and Khatgaonkar's moves are part of a broader trend of BJP leaders returning to their original parties due to challenges adapting to BJP culture. The shifting alliances reflect a growing discontent among leaders who previously left their parties for BJP.

Political Shifts Among Leaders

A senior Congress leader remarked that Agrawal's switch is part of a broader trend, with several other BJP leaders also returning to their original parties. Many of these leaders had moved to BJP after its takeover in the 2014 state assembly elections. The leader noted that adapting to BJP and RSS culture has been challenging for former Congress and NCP members, as reported by the Times Of India.

Several Congress, NCP, and UBT Shiv Sena leaders had joined BJP seeking protection amid investigations by the ED, CBI, and the Income Tax Department. With the opposition gaining strength in the Lok Sabha, there has been a reduction in ED actions, and the Supreme Court has criticised central agencies over the arrests of high-profile politicians.

Unfulfilled Promises

The Congress leader also highlighted that many Congress and NCP politicians, who were promised respectful rehabilitation after joining BJP, have been neglected over the past decade. For example, Congress leader Harshawardhan Patil, who joined BJP nearly eight years ago, is struggling to secure a new position and is expected to rejoin either Congress or NCP soon. Patil has recently held multiple meetings with Sharad Pawar, indicating his intention to return to his original party due to unmet promises within the BJP.

These shifting political alliances underscore the growing dissatisfaction among leaders who initially left their parties for BJP. As these leaders reassess their positions, the evolving dynamics within Maharashtra's political landscape are becoming increasingly evident.