CHAVAN WEARS LOTUS ON HIS SLEEVE

In an election season marked by the dissolution of alliances and politicians crossing party lines, former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan is the latest to depart from the Congress ranks.

- Anilesh S. Mahajan

He joins several other former CMs who have deserted the Grand Old Party in the past decade, with many of them switching to the saffron side.

On February 12, Chavan resigned from all Congress posts and as the MLA from Bhokar constituency. A day later, the 65-year-old Maratha leader joined the BJP—the new affair was consummated on Valentine’s Day, when he was seamlessly nominated to the Rajya Sabha. Chavan fell from grace with the Adarsh Housing Scam, once a pet theme for the BJP, but never quite lost his sway over Nanded, his stronghold in Marathwada.