“But above all, it was his worsening relationship with the party’s central leadership and his arrogant muscle-flexing over his mass base that cost him his job”, said a senior state BJP leader.
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Congress on Monday asked Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to book senior BJP leader and former Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse under stringent provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act over his alleged links with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.
Party insiders say it will not be easy for the government for government during the monsoon session without Khadse. But Khadse, the minister who allegedly misused his office and damaged Modi’s calling card – corruption-free government – had to be shown the door. Probity in public life was a big part of the BJP’s campaign that propelled it to power at the Centre in 2014 and the party can justifiably take credit for grasping the nettle and asking Khadse to quit. He is also a senior politician from the other backward classes (OBC) in Maharashtra which is a politically sensitive constituency for the BJP.
Also, a plot purchased by Khadse’s wife in April 2012 was not mentioned in Khadse’s election affidavit in 2014, and the user (the stipulated goal for which the land is to be used) was changed arbitrarily from educational objective to residential.
Earlier, Shah had sought detailed report from party’s state unit on the charges against Khadse.
Many may not believe, but it was just a story of clash of egos that resulted in the exit of veteran minister Eknath Khadse from the state Cabinet.
A party insider said both leaders discussed the possible candidates for the portfolios that were being handled by Mr Khadse. Before that Fadnavis submitted a report to BJP chief Amit Shah on the controversy.
Meanwhile the Aam Aadmi Party, led by Preeti Sharma Menon, has also vowed to escalate its protests across Maharashtra to press for the resignation of Khadse. Khadse said there was nothing illegal about the transaction and he was being defamed.
Graft charges: Khadse faces a charge that he took bribes through his frontmen.
Opposition parties too have stepped up their attack on the ruling BJP over Khadse.
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“The BJP had no option since the charges against Khadse like the MIDC land deal and Dawood call allegation are very serious in nature”, Chavan, a former chief minister, said. He was a strong contender for chief minister’s post. “Police have said that no call was made or received on my mobile from Dawood Ibrahim”, Khadse said, referring to hacker Manish Bhangale’s claim. Khadse later interacted with the media and told them of his decision.
