Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) handed the Congress party a serious blow when roughly 55 former Congress MLAs, led by former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, joined the BJP in Nanded, reported ANI. 

Speaking to ANI, BJP leader Ashok Chavan expressed confidence in the party's victory in Nanded, noting that interactions with other BJP officials were encouraging. He welcomed the former Congress MLAs into the party and confirmed their choice to join the BJP.

"Today we talked to BJP leaders and officials regarding the Lok Sabha elections, the conversation was good. Together we will make BJP win in Nanded. There is no doubt in it. 55 former Congress MLAs met me today and expressed their intention of joining the BJP. I told them they were all welcome and gave them entry to join the party," Chava said.