After Defeat, Maha Cong Chief Ashok Chavan Submits Resignation

Chavan said that the Congress’ defeat in polls was a “collective responsibility” and not that of Rahul Gandhi alone.

Maharashtra Congress Chief Ashok Chavan (centre) at a press conference. 

(Photo: PTI)

Following his party’s performance in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan said on Saturday, 25 May, that he had submitted his resignation from his post.

Speaking to ANI, he said:

“I have submitted my resignation and now it’s up to Congress President Rahul Gandhi to take a call on whatever reshuffle and changes he wants to make. We fully authorise him to take call on this. I will be meeting Rahul Gandhi soon.”

Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan

Chavan also said on Saturday that the Congress’ massive defeat in the general elections was a “collective responsibility” and not that of party chief Rahul Gandhi alone.

He added that there was no question of accepting Gandhi's resignation as party chief.

Chavan himself lost from Nanded Lok Sabha seat to BJP's Pratap Chiklikar.

Reduced to Just One Seat in Maharashtra

"The campaign was a collective responsibility. Rahul Gandhi worked hard and led from the front. All senior leaders in states who hold positions in the state units should quit, so that a new team can take over," Chavan told reporters.

The Congress was reduced to just one seat in Maharashtra, with Suresh Dhanorkar winning from Chandrapur.

The state has 48 Lok Sabha seats, the highest after Uttar Pradesh's 80.

"There is no dissension in the party. Everyone was taken into confidence while taking decisions regarding the elections. We will act against those responsible for anti-party activities. A report has been sought," Chavan added.

Chavan admitted that the Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Agadhi (VBA), which has the AIMIM as a constituent, had cost the Congress-NCP alliance "nine to ten seats".

Chavan lost in Nanded by 40,000 votes and the VBA candidate there managed to poll around one lakh votes.

He expressed confidence that Assembly polls, scheduled in the state later this year, would be a different story and the Congress would do well.

Slew of Resignations

In the aftermath of the election results – where the BJP managed to secure a bigger mandate than in 2014 while the Congress could barely improve its tally – a slew of resignations have hit the grand old party.

After the humiliating defeat, the party's Uttar Pradesh chief Raj Babbar, Karnataka's HK Patil, Odisha's Niranjan Patnaik and Amethi district head Yogendra Mishra sent in their resignations to the high command owning moral responsibility for the drubbing.