BJP leaders yet to confirm Khadse’s return, says Fadnavis

Eknath Khadse plans to return to BJP, but Devendra Fadnavis says party has not confirmed officially.

Though Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Eknath Khadse has said that he will be returning to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) soon, Maharashtra Deputy CM and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said on Monday that the party high command had not yet officially confirmed this to the Maharashtra BJP.

Mr. Fadnavis, whom Mr. Khadse sees as his bitter rival, said there was “no reason to oppose anyone joining the BJP” who had expressed their belief in PM Modi and his vision.

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“There is no reason to oppose anyone joining the BJP. However, the party has not officially conveyed it to us. He [Mr. Khadse] will be welcomed when the party informs us about it,” said Mr. Fadnavis in Nagpur.

On Sunday, Mr. Khadse officially confirmed that he would be returning to the BJP within the next fortnight.

Mr. Khadse was the Leader of Opposition in the State Legislative Assembly prior to the 2014 Maharashtra Assembly election. After the BJP came to power in the State that year, Mr. Khadse held several important portfolios, including the Revenue portfolio.

However, his name figured prominently in a case involving the purchase of a prime plot of land in Pune’s Bhosari area at throwaway prices. Mr. Khadse was alleged to have acquired the plot using illicit means by abusing his position as Revenue Minister in the erstwhile Devendra Fadnavis-led BJP government (2014-19).