In a significant political development, Padmakar Valvi, a senior Congress leader and former minister, has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra. This switch comes at a crucial juncture as both the NDA and I.N.D.I.A bloc parties are currently in discussions regarding a seat-sharing formula for the upcoming Lok Sabha Polls 2024¹².

Here are the key details about Padmakar Valvi’s move:

• Background:
  • Padmakar Valvi is a former Congress MLA from the Shahada constituency in Nandurbar.
  • He served as the sports minister in the state.
  • Valvi has been one of the prominent faces of the Congress in Nandurbar and North Maharashtra.
• Joining BJP:
  • On March 13, Padmakar Valvi officially joined the BJP in Mumbai.
  • The event took place in the presence of BJP’s Maharashtra unit President Chandrashekhar Bawankule and party leader Ashok Chavan.
• Political Context:
  • Nandurbar was historically a bastion of Congress, electing the party’s candidate eight times in Lok Sabha polls until 2014.
  • However, in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP managed to defeat the Congress in Nandurbar.
• Significance:
  • Valvi’s decision to switch parties adds to the political dynamics in Maharashtra as parties gear up for the upcoming elections.

This move underscores the fluidity of political affiliations and the competitive landscape in Maharashtra. 🗳️🇮🇳