Eknath Khadse’s resignation not enough, Opposition wants more heads

An otherwise lazy Saturday turned out to be a high voltage day for Maharashtra politics thanks to BJP minister Eknath Khadse, who was forced to put in his papers following directions from the BJP central leadership. 

This much awaited move energised the entire opposition in the state and also in the Centre. Khadse's resignation provided them the much needed "ammunition" they were seeking for long, to punch holes into the "success story" that the BJP was projecting after the completion of two years of the Modi government.  

All opposition parties swung into action immediately. While they hailed Khadse's resignation, they sought “more action” in order to mount more pressure on the BJP.

Main opposition party Congress and NCP demanded a judicial inquiry into the allegations against the BJP leader. They also sought similar action on other ministers of the Fadnavis government—Pankaja Munde, Vinod Tawde and Girish Bapat—who are also facing charges of corruption. Munde had been charged with being involved in the chikki scam, Tawde in the portrait printing case and Bapat in the controversy over rising price of pulses.

"Only resignation will not do. We want a high level judicial inquiry into the scams involving Khadse. We don't trust this government, which may sabotage the investigation," Maharashtra Congress chief and former chief minister of Maharashtra Ashok Chavan said.

"It is good that he has resigned. But it is a delayed decision. The BJP had no option since the charges against Khadse like the MIDC land deal and Dawood call allegation are very serious in nature," Chavan, a member of parliament said.

Other Congress leaders also had a field day. “If Fadnavis is really sincere on acting against corruption and upholding propriety, he should sack other corrupt Ministers also,” says MLC Sanjay Dutt.

The NCP whose various leaders are facing serious corruption charges, with Chhagan Bhujbal being in jail, also trained its guns at the BJP. “It is clear prima facie that the charges against Khadse are true,” claimed NCP leader and MLC Dhanajay Munde. He also challenged the BJP to take similar action against other “corrupt ministers” Tawde and Munde.

He questioned Khadse’s claims that he had quit on moral grounds. “If he has quit on moral grounds then (why) it took so long?” Munde also charged the BJP for playing dual roles. “On one side, CM seeks Khadse's resignation and on the other hand Danve (BJP state chief) backs Khadse. By giving clean chit to Khadse, the BJP is giving political patronage to corruption,” Munde said in a press statement.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) went ahead to claim that Khadse’s ouster is “AAP impact”. “AAP crusade results in Eknath Khadse resignation,” a quick press statement issued by the Preeti Sharma Menon read.

Samajwadi Party state chief and MLA Abu Azmi remained different in his reaction as always. "I don't think there was any truth in Dawood's call case. Anyone can call anyone these days. Until one doesn't have proof of conversation or any witness you can't prove anything. I am not sure about the legality of the land grab case either. If he has done wrong, he must face action otherwise those who have levelled charges must face the heat." 

Regarding Congress-NCP demand that other ministers must also be sacked, Azmi claimed, "Is hamam mein sab nange hain. Every MLA, except me, charge commission for every single work. Even collectors take their share from our MPLAD funds. If you start taking action, every one would be in jail." 
 
On the other hand, Anjali Damania, the estranged AAP leader who was on hunger strike since Friday in Azad Maidan in Mumbai seeking action on Khadse, not only extended her agitation but has also threatened to “expose” Khadse further. She is set to hold an “exhibition of scams” allegedly committed by Khadse at Azad Maidan on Saturday. “Wait for more expose of Eknath Khadse today by exhibition of 17 scams today,” said Damania.