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I'll survive, I have faith in my party: Eknath Khadse

The former minister has been meeting with his party workers and loyalists at his official residence – Ramtek in Malabar Hills. "Since the resignation, there has been a continuous flow of visitors. Khadse is consoling the supporters, saying everything will be all right," said a supporter.

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In the first statement since his resignation over charges of corruption and Dawood links, senior BJP leader Eknath Khadse said on Tuesday that he has decided to fight out the Pune land case legally and was expecting to come out unscathed. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has constituted an inquiry commission to probe multiple allegations against Khadse.

The former minister has been meeting with his party workers and loyalists at his official residence – Ramtek in Malabar Hills. "Since the resignation, there has been a continuous flow of visitors. Khadse is consoling the supporters, saying everything will be all right," said a supporter.

"We have been loyal servants of the party for the last 40 years. We worked tirelessly to expand its base and strengthen its network in every nook and corner of the state. We have complete trust, faith and belief in the party," Khadse reportedly told his supporters. He also appealed to them not resign from any post.

Khadse further stated that he has been "shouting" out all the facts, and even posted the facts on his Facebook and Twitter pages, but no one bothered to pay attention. "My version might not be fitting in their well-planned news story. I have lost faith in media. Many other people are also saying this. Reporting should always be balanced," he said.

Talking about his tainted Pune land deal, Khadse said, "In 40 years of my political career, I have never experienced such a media trial. It has thrown me out from the active administrative work."

"The Pune land deal was purely a person-to-person deal. The government had nothing to do with it. I neither misused my office nor the position. As per rules, if the government (MIDC) fails to acquire the land or pay the compensation to the original owner, the land rights go to the original owner only. We have plenty of such Supreme Court judgments as well," he added.

When asked about the undervaluation of the land concerned, he said it was a matter between the seller and the buyer. "We cannot force any one to sell or buy the land at a low price." He said that he had not imagined even in his wildest dreams that he will be accused of being in touch with fugitive don Dawood Ibrahim.

"A section of people keeps levelling allegations against me, just to malign the image of my family and my party. All allegations are baseless and have no kernel of truth. I am confident that I will survive this crisis as well. I have not done anything wrong. So, why should I be afraid of an inquiry?" he said.

When asked why his party did not back him, like it did with many other state and Central leaders during the times of crisis or allegations, Khadse maintained a studied silence.

Meanwhile, a BJP MLA close to him said they were also wondering why the party took such a hasty decision against Khadse. "What went wrong? Who is behind this? There must be a powerful person behind this entire game plan. Only time will reveal all the details and the truth will prevail. Time will take care of this political conspiracy," he said requesting anonymity.

The MLA added, "After the Pune land deal controversy erupted, we were expecting that at the most, the party will take away the revenue portfolio from Khadse. But the party asked him to resign instead. Many people are not able to digest this. Even those who are not involved in politics are saying that there is a larger conspiracy to shunt Khadse, a known mass OBC leader. If a leader like Khadse can be treated so shabbily, then we also need to be more careful while working for BJP."

Another BJP member said, "In the recent MLC elections, loyalists were shown the door while the corrupt leaders were given tickets. This shows that the BJP is going in a different direction. This is not the party we had worked for."

Meanwhile, sources in the chief minister's office told dna that it was not clear if the inquiry announced by Fadnavis against Khadse will be conducted under the Inquiry Commission Act or not. "If the CM passed the order of inquiry under the Inquiry Commission Act-1952, it will be difficult for Khadse to make a comeback. Only time will tell what Fadnavis, BJP president Amit Shah and prime minister Narendra Modi have in store for Khadse," added the source.

Inquiry not enough, Cong demands arrest

Mumbai Congress unit president Sanjay Nirupam said on Tuesday that an inquiry in the matter was not enough, and that Khadse should be arrested immediately for an impartial inquiry. The Congress party has decided to protest against BJP in front of all railway stations in Mumbai on Thursday.

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