Ashok Chavan: ‘These are untested waters. For years, I have worked with people under different circumstances. How they react, what they do, is a test for us too.’

Entrusted with ensuring the victory of the BJP candidate in the Nanded Lok Sabha constituency, his home turf, the party’s Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Chavan has been campaigning for Prataprao Govindrao Chikhalikar Patil like it is his own election. The former chief minister and state Congress heavyweight, Chavan, who switched to the BJP in February, is making attempts to offset “anti-incumbency” against Chikhalikar Patil, who had defeated him in the2019 polls when he contested the seat as a Congress nominee.

In an interview with The India Express, Chavan speaks on a range of issues including the BJP’s campaign, his plans and the state of affairs in the Congress party. Excerpts:

* How true is the Congress allegation that you joined the BJP fearing ED?

All rubbish. Have you ever heard of any allegation against me by the Enforcement Directorate (ED)? If the Congress is making a claim, it should provide the evidence as well. Where is that evidence? Just because you have a mouth does not mean you can say anything about me.

* Why didn’t more Congress leaders follow you to join the BJP?

I didn’t ask anyone to come with me, nor am I calling anyone and asking them to change their party now. Yes, there are many leaders within the Nanded Congress who regularly talk to me, and some will switch as well.

* Is it Ashok Chavan versus Congress in this election?

See, I’m not the candidate. But if my opponents see me as a candidate, then I am ready for that too. I consider this my honour. My job is to make the BJP candidate win. The Congress candidate (Vasant Balvantrao Chavan Patil) couldn’t even win the Naigaon Assembly seat in the 2019 state polls, when I was in the Congress. My advice to Congress leaders is to focus on their own election instead