Maharashtra: Big blow to Congress ahead of municipal elections; will MLC Pragya Satav join BJP
A major shift could be on the horizon in Maharashtra politics. Speculation is rife that Congress MLC Pragya Satav is set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
According to sources, Pragya Satav may join the BJP tomorrow on Thursday, a move that is expected to be a major blow to the Congress party ahead of the municipal elections.
Pragya Satav is the wife of the late senior Congress leader and former MP Rajiv Satav, who held a significant position in the party. It is noteworthy that the Congress party nominated Pragya Satav to the Legislative Council after Rajiv Satav's death, making her an MLC.
Rajiv Satav was considered one of the prominent leaders of the Congress and had a strong hold on Maharashtra politics. Therefore, his wife's departure from the Congress to join the BJP is seen as both a political and emotional loss for the party.
Rajiv Satav, who was very close to the Gandhi family, died due to Covid infection in 2021. Pradnya Satav was elected unopposed to the Legislative Council in 2021 to fill the vacancy created by the demise of Congress leader Sharad Ranpise.
Rajiv Satav was the Member of Parliament from Hingoli from 2014 to 2019. After 2019, the Congress gave him an opportunity in the Rajya Sabha. In 2017, the Congress entrusted him with the responsibility of the Gujarat Assembly elections. Rajiv Satav had established his own position at the national level within the Congress party and was known as one of Rahul Gandhi's trusted associates.
If Pragya Satav joins the BJP before the municipal elections, it could impact the Congress organization and its political calculations.
For the BJP, this move would be a way to penetrate the Congress's traditional vote bank. Currently, there has been no official statement from the Congress on this matter, but political circles are abuzz with activity.