Jalgaon: Eknath Khadse who recently quit the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and is set to join the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has blamed former CM Devendra Fadnavis for his exit. Khadse's resignation has given a big jolt to the saffron party and has caused a stir in the political circle.
"I am leaving BJP because of former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. I gave 40 years of my life for the growth of BJP. The party also gave me a lot but for the last four and a half years, I was harassed by Fadnavis. I was served with injustice following which I took the decision to quit BJP and join NCP."
"The then CM Devendra Fadnavis instructed the police to register ab FIR against me on a false allegation of harassment by a woman. He said that the case would be withdrawn later. A corruption inquiry was initiated against me in which no charges were proved against me. I suffered a lot in BJP," he said.
Khadse added, "The party has given me important positions but in return, I have worked hard and made big sacrifices for the party as well."
Asserting that he doesn't want any position in NCP, "I chose NCP for the development of Maharashtra and also for the districts."
READ: Explained: Eknath Khadse's exit from BJP
The leader is likely to leave for Mumbai tomorrow via helicopter.
Alleging that false charges were pressed against him, Khadse said, "False cases were filed against me by Devendra Fadnavis and sedition charges were pressed against me.
Khadse's daughter Rohini Khadse, who is an advocate by profession, and his wife Mandakini Khadse will also join NCP. Mandakini Khadse is the president of Jalgaon Milk Association. He also said that many former MLAs from Khandesh are likely to join NCP.
Countering Khadse's allegations against him, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said that Khadse spoke a half-truth.
Fadnavis said, "It's unfortunate that he resigned. He should not have resigned. As far as his allegation against me is concerned, he is speaking half-truth. He could have complained against me to the seniors. At this moment I won't speak much on it but I will speak at right time."
With ANI inputs
