Sunil Tatkare (centre) interacts with the media during the press conference

Reminding chief minister Devendra Fadnavis about his announcement to investigate the corruption charges against former minister Eknath Khadse, NCP state president Sunil Tatkare on Thursday criticised the state government for not starting it. Last week, Mr Fadnavis had promised that a former high court judge would be appointed to probe the allegations made against Mr Khadse.

“It has been almost a week that Mr Khadse has resigned but the CM has not yet appointed any retired judge for the probe to investigate the corruption charges against him,” said Mr Tatkare. Mr Khadse has been accused of receiving calls from underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. His alleged personal aide was also caught red-handed demanding a bribe of Rs 30 crore. Again, his son-in-law was accused of modifying a vehicle into a limousine illegally. Mr Khadse also attracted a lot of flak for purchasing a land in Pune at a throw away price using his political clout.

Coming down heavily on the government for halting works related to drought, Mr Tatkare said that the ministers would only run to claim credit later. “The farmers in the drought-hit Marathwada region have not received any relief from the government. In fact, the seeds for the next agriculture season are being sold at double the price. The farmers did not get food security. The Jalyukta Shivar works are halted. Only a handful of NGOs are working in the area. But the ministers will take credit for the work with selfies,” Mr Tatkare said.

The NCP leader even alleged that the state government’s announcement to construct 50,000 farm ponds did not turn into reality. The government had announced that fees of the students in the drought-hit area would be waived off. But not a single student has received the concession yet, he added.

Meanwhile, Mr Tatakare also said that the NCP’s 17th anniversary on Friday would be a low-key affair as the state is still reeling under drought. Party chief Sharad Pawar will address the workers in Mumbai at Shanmukhananda auditorium on the occasion.