Eknath Khadse Row: Shiv Sena demands ‘tainted’ Minister’s resignation as Devendra Fadnavis meets Narendra Modi in Delhi today

Till now Khadse has denied all the charges, but Congress has continued its attack on the party, demanding for a strict probe. Now, political divisions stand to be widened with the Sena pushing for Khadse's dismissal.

Mumbai, June 2: The allegations of corruption against Maharashtra Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse have resulted in a reopening of the political divide between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its key ally Shiv Sena, with the latter demanding Khadse’s resgination. Sena on Thursday officially demanded Khadse’s ouster citing moral reasons. This comes on the same day that party president Amit Shah demanded a report on the matter from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Khadse had met Fadnavis on Monday evening and the meeting had lead to the Minister being questioned on why he had interests in seeking land marked for MIDC. Media reports also suggested that Khadse had pressured a Pune police officer to register a case against a whistleblower Hemant Gawande, who had exposed a land grabbing scam. Till now Khadse has denied all the charges, but Congress has continued its attack on the party, demanding for a strict probe. Now, political divisions stand to be widened with the Sena pushing for Khadse’s dismissal. ALSO READ: Eknath Khadse row: Amit Shah asks Devendra Fadnavis to “handle the issue”

Khadse does have some support as some 15 BJP corporators from jagaon had threatened to resign on Wednesday, as a show of solidarity for the tainted minister. However, sources said that Khadse would not be spared as the Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself was upset with the allegations against him. Pressure is also mounting on Fadnavis, as Amit Shah told the CM to deal with the issue, at the earliest. A First Post report also suggested that Fadnavis is likely to discuss the issue on the sidelines of a meeting with the PM in Delhi today.