File photo of Vijay Kumar Gavit who quit the NCP to join the BJP today.
Two politicians who are influential, in their respective areas, have jumped from the NCP to the BJP in a span of one week.
Former Maharashtra Medical Education Minister Vijay Kumar Gavit, who was expelled from the NCP, switched parties today. He was welcomed into the BJP by Eknath Khadse, the Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.
Mr Gavit's move comes after his daughter, Heena Gavit took on the Congress's nine-time MP Manikrao Gavit in its bastion Nandurbar and defeated him.
Two days ago, former Tribal Development Minister Babanrao Pachpute was also welcomed into the party by none other than BJP President Amit Shah who was on a visit to Mumbai to take stock of the preparations for the assembly elections.
But the BJP, which has previously attacked both these politicians and accused them of being corrupt, is now finding ways to defend their entry into the party.
Mr Khadse says, "If there is any evidence against Vijay Kumar Gavit the party will not keep him."
While Mr Pachpute has been accused of wrongdoing in the Tribal Development Scam where products meant for the welfare of tribals were bought at higher costs, Mr Gavit is facing an enquiry on the orders of the Bombay High Court in connection with the same scam. He is also facing an enquiry by the Maharashtra Anti-Corruption Bureau which was cleared by the Congress-NCP government soon after he left the NCP.
Mr Gavit however defends himself, saying, "The charges against me are politically motivated. Congress does not want me to stay in Nandurbar. People are with us because we will bring development to the area."
Both Babanrao Pachpute and Vijay Kumar Gavit were ministers in the Congress NCP government just months ago. But in election season the ability to win matters and the BJP is using the Congress-NCP government's clean chit to these leaders while they were with them to defend their entry as it prepares to fight the Maharashtra polls on the anti-corruption plank.