Why was clean chit given initially: Shiv Sena

Taking a dig at BJP, Shiv Sena on Saturday demanded that its ally clarify as to why former revenue minister Eknath Khadse was earlier given a clean chit and later asked to resign.

Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena MP, said, “On issues like corruption, BJP has asked many ministers in the past to resign and we welcome the same. It is part and parcel of politics for someone to resign. But the party should clarify as to why though BJP president Raosaheb Danve earlier gave a clean chit to Mr Khadse, why was he later asked to resign ”

The Congress and NCP too demanded that a high-level investigation be conducted into allegations against Mr Khadse. “Resignation alone will not do. We want a high-level judicial inquiry into the scams. We don’t trust this government, which may sabotage the investigation,” said state Congress chief, Ashok Chavan.

While Congress leader and former CM Prithviraj Chavan, said, “The resignation was inevitable. The real political decision, however, is to what level the government will take this matter.”

Meanwhile, Clyde Crasto, state spokesperson, NCP, said, “We have always been demanding Mr Khadse’s resignation because without that, there was no chance of a free and fair probe. Now, we hope that the government conducts a free and fair probe into allegations against him.”

Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam has demanded that Mr Khadse be arrested.