After Khadse's exit, Maha CM calls meeting of BJP ministers

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has convened a meeting of BJP ministers to discuss the strategy in the wake of the resignation of senior minister Eknath Khadse on charges of impropriety. The meeting, to be held in a day or two at Sahyadri state guest house here, is also likely to discuss much-awaited expansion of Cabinet.

According to sources, BJP ministers are tense following resignation of Khadse, the senior-most cabinet member and Revenue Minister.

“Monday is a day when usually most ministers come to Mantralaya and meet people. But after Khadse’s resignation and after being asked to keep mum over the issue, not a single minister has visited the state Secretariat,” a senior minister said here today.

He said the period after Khadse’s resignation is the biggest challenge for BJP.

“After the media trial against him, the CM has called a meeting of all ministers where the cabinet expansion is expected to be discussed,” the minister said.

He further said there are also chances of redistribution of portfolios that Khadse had held and a strategy will have to be decided for the upcoming monsoon session of the Maharashtra Legislature.

Meanwhile, a Kalyan-based outfit ‘Khandesh Heet Sangh’ held a brief demonstration outside state BJP head office near Mantralaya this afternoon.

The protesters raised slogans and demanded justice for Khadse who in turn has urged partymen from Jalgaon not to resort to any demonstrations.

In the afternoon, BJP deputed another senior minister from Jalgaon, Minister for Water Resources Girish Mahajan to meet agitated party cadres who were coming to the party office.

Khadse, facing a string of allegations including the demand for a hefty bribe made by his PA in a land matter and purchasing a reserved land near Pune in name of his kin for a throwaway price, resigned on Saturday.