Shiv Sena blames Devendra Fadnavis for Eknath Khadse's ouster

On 6 June, the Shiv Sena alleged that Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had 'secretly' worked to oust his former cabinet colleague and senior BJP leader Eknath Khadse.

The former Maharashtra revenue minister resigned on 4 June after a string of allegations, including irregularities in a land deal.

"Khadse might have thought that Devendra Fadnavis, a yesterday's lad, would not understand politics. He thought he was the government. But he failed to know that this yesterday's lad was packing the (fire)cracker with gunpowder," the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana.

It said that the the ACB was behind Khadse's PA Gajanan Patil for the last six months, but Khadse had no idea about that.

"By this, we understand the secrecy in the working style of Fadnavis," the Sena said in the editorial. The outfit also questioned why Fadnavis did not step forward to defend his colleague.

"Khadse is saying there is no proof against him and he will leave politics if he is proved guilty. Even Chhagan Bhujbal is saying the same thing in jail, Ashok Chavan, accused of Adarsh scam, too is saying the same thing. Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra is also saying he is innocent of the allegations levelled against him," the Sena said in the editorial.

Khadse has also been accused of being in touch with wanted fugitive Dawood Ibrahim. Fadnavis has announced an inquiry by a retired high court judge into the allegations against Khadse, as sought by the senior leader himself.

--PTI