JOIN USThe central BJP leadership is contemplating “appropriate action” against Maharashtra Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse over allegations of corruption. The charges against the Muktainagar MLA have created trouble for the saffron party, which claims to provide taint-free governance.
The party, which had earlier defended Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje in Lalitgate and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh in the AgustaWestland chopper deal, is unlikely to back Khadse, with BJP chief Amit Shah terming the allegations “serious”. Apart from reportedly indulging in two shady land deals, Khadse, leader of opposition in the previous Congress-NCP regime, is also under the scanner after an expose that his telephone number figured in the calls made by an aide of Dawood Ibrahim.
ReportDuring a meeting at the party headquarters in Delhi, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis submitted a report on the Khadse episode to Shah.
"I have submitted a factual report on matters which have come up recently. We have discussed them as well. The party will direct whatever appropriation has to be taken ahead," Fadnavis said.
Meet with PMThe CM also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a ‘scheduled official interaction’. But BJP sources said Khadse’s scandals figured in the discussion, given that NDA ally Shiv Sena and opposition parties Congress and AAP have sought his resignation.
Contrary to a clear message from the central leadership, Khadse has so far not shown any inclination to resign, saying he has done no wrong.
He, however, did not attend the state Cabinet meeting on Wednesday and gave up his official car.
What has made it tough for the central leaders to take action against six-time MLA Khadse is that he is the seniormost BJP leader in the state and enjoys support of the farmers in the northern part of Maharashtra, party sources said.
“Allegations levelled against Eknath Khadse are completely false and baseless,” state BJP president Raosaheb Danve said in support of the leader.