Bhaskarrao Khatgaonkar, BJP MP Ashok Chavan’s brother-in-law, returns to Congress

In a blow to former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, his brother-in-law and BJP leader Bhaskarrao Patil Khatgaonkar joined the Congress on Friday ahead of the Maharashtra elections.
Recently, the Congress MP from Nanded, Vasant Chavan, passed away, leaving the Lok Sabha seat vacant.
Apart from former Nanded MP Khatgaonkar, his daughter-in-law Dr Meena Khatgaonkar, and former MLA Omprakash Pokarna also jumped the ship to join the Congress.
Khatgaonkar had formed a co-operative, Godavari Manar Sahkari Karkhana, in Nanded through which many farmers in the constituency got employment, and it made Khatgaonkar popular among the masses.
Recently, Ashok Chavan had indirectly threatened Khatgaonkar not to leave the BJP, saying “those who stay with us will be safe”.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief Nana Patole, in an apparent dig at Chavan, said “Khatgaonkar joining the Congress has strengthened the party in Nanded. He has not joined for an election ticket. Those threatening Khatgaonkar should check first if they are safe”.
Khatgaonkar is the brother-in-law of former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, who joined the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2024.
Meena Khatgaonkar is likely to contest Nanded’s Naigaon Assembly seat. “I believe in Mohabbat ki dukaan slogan of Rahul Gandhi, hence I have joined the Congress. Ashok Chavan is my relative, so I will not say much about him. Looking forward to working for the Congress in the upcoming elections”, she said after joining the grand old party.
Notably, Bhaskarrao Patil Khatgaonkar had joined the Congress from the BJP in 2021. In 2024, he rejoined the BJP along with Ashok Chavan. The former Parliamentarian from Nanded has again joined the Congress fold.
Elections for the 288 Assembly seats of Maharashtra are slated to be held later this year. The official announcement of dates by the Election Commission is expected in the coming weeks.