Kedar Jadhav Joins BJP: Former Cricketer Begins New Innings in Politics
Present at the event were Maharashtra BJP State President and Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, MP Ashok Chavan, MLAs Ravindra Chavan, Atul Bhosale, Samadhan Awatade, and other prominent dignitaries.
Jadhav had announced his retirement from professional cricket via social media in June 2023. He last represented India in an international match against New Zealand in February 2020.
Mass Joining from Multiple Districts
Kedar Jadhav was not alone in his political debut. The occasion also saw a large number of leaders and office bearers from various political parties across Sangli, Satara, and Hingoli districts join the BJP, signaling a significant boost for the party ahead of upcoming elections.
Among those who joined were:
Dhananjay Shinde, MNS Sangli District Vice-President
Kumar Jadhav, Taluka President, Tasgaon-Kavathe Mahankal Assembly Constituency
Manoj Chavan, Ubatha Group
Ranjit Gyandev Mane, Sangli District Vice-President, Prahar Shetkari Sanghatana
Jitendra Pandurang Mane, Executive Member, Prahar Shetkari Sanghatana
Shankarrao (Appa) Chande, Former Chairman, Malkapur Municipality
Prashant Chande, Congress City President, Malkapur
Satish Chande, Dhanaji Desai, and other key Congress leaders from Karad South and Malkapur Assembly Constituencies (Satara District)
Shasikumar Kulthe, Former Mayor, Vasmat Assembly Constituency (Hingoli District)
Murali Kadam, Madhavrao Baburao Kakade, Sanjay Shirsagar, and other leaders from the Ubatha group
Kamanrao Mule, Vice President, Congress Committee, Vasmat Taluka
Tukaram Kadam, General Secretary, Hingoli Congress District
Political Implications
Kedar Jadhav’s entry into the BJP comes at a time when the party is gearing up for the 2024–25 election cycle. His popularity as a former cricketer and his influence in western Maharashtra, especially Sangli and Satara, could prove strategically important for the BJP.
The induction of several grassroots leaders from opposition parties into the BJP fold is also being seen as a sign of growing influence and consolidation efforts by the ruling party in key districts.