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  Metros   Mumbai  15 May 2018  Will not return to state Cabinet, Khadse reiterates

Will not return to state Cabinet, Khadse reiterates

THE ASIAN AGE.
Published : May 15, 2018, 2:20 am IST
Updated : May 15, 2018, 2:20 am IST

Recently, the Maharashtra ACB closed the probe into the land deal, saying there were no illegalities on the part of Mr Khadse.

Eknath Khadse
 Eknath Khadse

Mumbai: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Eknath Khadse has made it clear that he does not want to return to the state Cabinet. However, he has been quick to add that he will not leave the BJP. Mr Khadse recently got a clean chit from the Anti- Corruption Bureau (ACB) in the Bhosari land purchase deal.

Mr Khadse had to resign from chief minister Devendra Fadnavis-led state Cabinet on June 5, 2016, after facing allegations of graft and irregular clearance of purchase of land that came under his ministry. Since then, Mr Khadse has been out of the Cabinet and has been having a tough time. Recently, the Maharashtra ACB closed the probe into the land deal, saying there were no illegalities on the part of Mr Khadse. The clean chit given to him sparked speculation that Mr Khadse would soon return to the state cabinet. However, he has now himself clarified that he is not interested in returning to the state Cabinet.

“Only one year is left. Six months will go in the code of conduct of elections. So, why would I be minister again? No work can be done in just six months,” he said. Refuting claims of him leaving the BJP, he said, “I am not going anywhere. This party is like my family. It has given me strength in my toughest days.”

However, he did not lose the opportunity to slam the state leadership over the party candidature in Palghar. “You complain that the Sena has given the ticket to the son of a BJP leader. Then why have you given a ticket to Congress leader, Rajendra Gavit? How is it different from what the Sena did,” he questioned.

Tags: eknath khadse, devendra fadnavis