Mumbai, May 21 (UNI) Senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Nanded on May 26, coinciding with the birthday of local MLA Srijaya Chavan. On this occasion, it is expected that two former Congress MLAs and several key officials may formally join the BJP.
Srijaya Chavan, who belongs to an influential political family, was elected an MLA from Bhokar (Nanded district) in her first attempt last year.
The representation of the Bhokar constituency began with Digambar Rao, the first home minister of the Hyderabad State. However, it was Shankar Rao Chavan who gave the constituency its distinct identity. Later, his son Ashok and Sanusha Amita Chavan also represented the constituency before passing the traditional seat to a close relative.
After the delimitation of the Bhokar constituency in 2009, the Chavan family’s influence has remained strong. In once a Congress-dominated constituency, the BJP flag was raised for the first time through Srijaya Chavan. The constituency had consistently voted for Congress candidates since 1962.
From the nearby Parbhani district, Meghna Bordikar secured a cabinet position, but Srijaya Chavan has yet to receive such an opportunity. Following the linguistic reorganization of states, Shankar Rao Chavan became Deputy Minister directly in the cabinet, and Ashok Chavan was also appointed Minister of State during his first term in 1993.
Although Srijaya has not yet been inducted, Ashok Chavan is actively working within the BJP to bring her into the cabinet.
Whether Amit Shah’s visit to Nanded on May 26 coinciding with Srijaya Chavan’s birthday is a mere coincidence or a political strategy remains unclear. However, the Home Minister’s planned visit to Shankar Rao Chavan’s memorial and the BJP meeting to be held at the Kasm Auditorium underscore the significance of the event.
Ashok Chavan had inaugurated this venue in the presence of Sonia Gandhi and Dr Manmohan Singh. Now, for the first time, a national BJP leader will enter Chavan family’s educational institution.
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