Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders on Tuesday congratulated former Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse, claiming that he had received a clean chit in an alleged land grab case, prompting speculation of his return to the Cabinet.
“We are happy Mr. Khadse has cleared an acid test. He plays a key role in the functioning and development of the BJP,” said Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil. Mr. Patil did not comment whether Mr. Khadse would make a comeback to the Cabinet ahead of next year’s elections.
Mr. Khadse’s sharp criticism of his own government, such as exposing the ‘rat scam’ in Mantralaya, has cornered the BJP. He has also indicated his discontent with the party leadership. Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders have hinted that they will welcome the “strong” OBC leader if he chose to quit the BJP.
Sources within the BJP said the decision on Mr. Khadse’s return is with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. A senior leader, on the condition of anonymity, said, “One should realise that the actual ACB report has not been made public. If [the CM] has to take a call to induct him in the Cabinet, the entire report will be analysed to avoid any embarrassment in future.”
Activist Anjali Damania said on Tuesday that this is an example of how the BJP saves its corrupt ministers. “I had given all the proof in the Bhosari land case to the ACB on August 17. Despite this, if the ACB has given him a clean chit, I will challenge it in the Bombay High Court,” said Ms. Damania.
