Thu Dec 18 22:14:20 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the text, suitable for publication:
Headline: Congress MLC Pradnya Satav Defects to BJP, Sparking Political Storm in Maharashtra
Mumbai, December 19, 2025 (IST) – In a significant blow to the Indian National Congress, Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) Pradnya Satav officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday, December 18th. The move, which occurred in the presence of Maharashtra BJP President Ravindra Chavan and Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule at the BJP headquarters in Mumbai, has ignited a firestorm of political accusations and speculation.
Satav, widow of the late Rajiv Satav, a close confidant of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, cited the “insistence of workers” and a desire to “fulfill Raju Satav’s incomplete dream of development” under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis as her reasons for joining the BJP.
The defection has been met with sharp criticism from Congress leaders. State Congress leader Nana Patole accused the BJP of using “money and other temptations” to poach members, echoing concerns about the BJP’s pursuit of a “Congress-free India.” Patole stated, “She might have come under the influence of the BJP. I am not sure under what temptation she joined the BJP. The BJP has been all about money from power, and power from money.”
Former Congressman and now BJP leader Ashok Chavan dismissed such allegations, attributing the switch to “insecurity over the future” within the Congress party, claiming that many senior party workers are leaving due to a lack of leadership. Chavan denied any involvement in Satav’s decision.
The timing of Satav’s move, just ahead of local elections on January 15th, is particularly damaging for the Congress, following the recent defection of former MLA Dilip Mane from Solapur district to the BJP.
NCP-SP leader Supriya Sule expressed shock at the development, highlighting the Satav family’s long-standing association with the Congress ideology and familial relationship with the party. “The family believed in the Congress ideology and had a familial relationship with Congress. So it is difficult to understand what the reason could be.”
Satav was first elected as an MLC in 2021 and re-nominated in July 2024, holding a term that would have extended to 2030. Her sudden departure leaves a void in the Congress ranks and further strengthens the BJP’s position in Maharashtra ahead of crucial local elections.
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