Congress MLAs Absent from Party Meeting Amid Speculation of Further Defections in Maharashtra

GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 16th Feb. Amidst speculation over potential defections following the high-profile exit of former chief minister Ashok Chavan, at least five Congress MLAs did not attend a crucial party meeting held in Maharashtra on Thursday.

The absentees included Zeeshan Siddique from Bandra East, Aslam Shaikh from Malad West, Amit Deshmukh from Latur City, Sulbha Khodke from Amravati, and Mohanrao Hambarde from Nanded South.

Congress Legislature Party leader Balasaheb Thorat disclosed that all five lawmakers were absent after obtaining permission from him. Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole affirmed that the legislators had sought permission to skip the meeting due to prior commitments.

According to reports, Zeeshan Siddique and Aslam Shaikh cited constituency commitments, while Amit Deshmukh was reported to be out of the state. Sulbha Khodke and Mohanrao Hambarde were said to have family engagements.

Interestingly, both Zeeshan Siddique and Aslam Shaikh had attended a meeting of party lawmakers the previous evening and had recommended Congress’ Rajya Sabha candidate Chandrakant Handore.

The absence of these MLAs comes in the wake of Ashok Chavan’s resignation from the Congress earlier in the week, followed by his swift induction into the BJP and subsequent nomination for the Rajya Sabha elections. Last month, former Union minister Milind Deora also defected to the Shiv Sena, further unsettling the Congress party ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Thursday’s meeting, convened prior to filing the nomination papers of Chandrakant Handore for the Rajya Sabha elections, saw the presence of Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders Ajay Choudhary from Shiv Sena UBT and Jitendra Awhad from the Sharad Pawar-led NCP.