MUMBAI: The Congress party in Maharashtra has recently faced significant defections, dealing a blow to its political standing ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. Among the notable figures who have switched allegiances are MLA Jayashri Jadhav and former Mumbai Corporator Ravi Raja.

Jayashri Jadhav, a prominent MLA, has left the Congress party, citing dissatisfaction with the party's leadership and direction. She joined the Shiv Sena party on Thursday noon in the presence of CM Eknath Shinde in Mumbai after she was denied a ticket for Kolhapur North by the Congress party. Jadhav and her son, Satyajit, arrived in Mumbai in a special helicopter that had been arranged for them and was made Shiv Sena Deputy Leader by the Shinde faction. However, she won't be contesting the assembly election. Her departure is seen as a major setback for the Congress, as she was considered a key figure in her constituency.

Ravi Raja, a veteran Congress leader and former Leader of Opposition in the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (BMC), also resigned from the party after 44 years of service. Raja joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Raja expressed his frustration over not being given a ticket to contest from the Sion-Koliwada assembly seat, which was instead allocated to another candidate.

These defections highlight the internal strife and dissatisfaction within the Congress party, as it struggles to maintain unity and retain its leaders. The BJP, on the other hand, is capitalizing on this discontent, welcoming defectors and strengthening its position in the state.

The upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections are expected to be fiercely contested, with the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, comprising the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), facing off against the ruling Mahayuti coalition, which includes the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar-led NCP. The defections of Jayashri Jadhav and Ravi Raja are likely to impact the Congress party's prospects in the elections, as it grapples with internal challenges and external competition.

Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis announced that several Congress leaders are in discussions to join the BJP ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. Following the resignation of Ravi Raja, Fadnavis hinted that more leaders would follow suit soon and join the saffron party.