Khadse has been accused, among other things, of buying a three-acre plot in the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), Bhosari, from the original owner, who had apparently given it to the MIDC 25 years ago.
Congress state unit president and Nanded Lok Sabha MP Ashok Chavan said on Tuesday that to allow a fair inquiry in to all the allegations levelled against him, revenue minister Eknath Khadse must resign immediately.
Khadse has been accused, among other things, of buying a three-acre plot in the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), Bhosari, from the original owner, who had apparently given it to the MIDC 25 years ago.
Chavan was addressing the media at Azad Maidan, on the sidelines of a demonstration staged by the minority cell of the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee (MRCC) to protest against the National Investigation Agency (NIA) chargesheet in Malegaon blasts case.
The Congress leader said that it was because of the unfeasible promises made before the elections that such allegations were being made. He said every other day, a minister of the Devendra Fadnavis-led government is charged with corruption cases, and this could be because of their slogans such as "Na Khaunga, Na Khaane Doonga". Chavan added that since the matter pertained to the home department, which is headed by Devendra Fadnavis, the chief minister must come out in the open.
Meanwhile, MRCC president Sanjay Nirupam said that after the allegations against Khadse of having links with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim surfaced, the Mumbai police gave him a clean chit in a matter of four hours, which raises questions on the integrity of the police department.
When asked as to why the Congress, despite being the main Opposition party, was not staging any agitation against corruption and other political entities, Chavan said it was Congress that exposed many ministers from the Fadnavis Cabinet and it was the party leaders and spokespersons who brought to the fore cases such as the chikki scam and bogus degrees issue.
Khades's take
Avoiding questions from media persons at the Sahyadri guesthouse after the Cabinet meeting, Khadse said, "I am a very big leader and that is the reason they are leveling charges against me." In an interview with dna soon after the allegations, Khadse had said the allegations were being made for cheap publicity.
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