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Maharashtra BJP Chief Defends Viral 'Empty Congress' Remark as Development Outreach

Chandrashekhar Bawankule clarifies controversial audio clip, emphasizing BJP's openness to grassroots Congress workers seeking development opportunities.

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Empty out the Congress, Chandrashekhar Bawankule tells partymen
Bawankule while speaking at an event in the city on Sunday encouraged local BJP members to rope in Congress loyalists, suggesting that the defection of such leaders would benefit the saffron party. (HT PHOTO)
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Overview

  • An audio clip of Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule urging party workers to 'empty the Congress' by inducting its leaders went viral on May 4, 2025.
  • Bawankule clarified on May 5, 2025, that his statement was distorted and framed the outreach as a call to welcome Congress workers focused on development.
  • The BJP leader cited recent defections, including Sangram Thopte joining BJP and Ravindra Dhangekar joining Shiv Sena, as examples of this trend.
  • Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad responded by reaffirming the party's ideological appeal and criticized Bawankule for commenting on Congress's internal dynamics.
  • Bawankule accused Congress leadership of lacking a developmental vision, which he claims is driving grassroots disillusionment and defections.