Eknath Khadse cautions BJP on turncoats

Mumbai: Breaking his silence over the induction of political turncoats, senior BJP leader Eknath Khadse on Thursday urged the party leadership to check the commitment of newcomers. Addressing party workers in Jalgaon, Mr Khadse claimed that inducting turncoats arbitrarily might damage the party.

“The number of people from other parties joining the BJP has increased significantly. It is also needed for the expansion of the party. But their commitment needs to be tested. Party workers will also have to be vigilant. Otherwise some of the new recruits may have entered the party only to work against it,” the veteran leader said.

There has been an exodus of leaders from the Opposition camp in Maharashtra.

The prominent Opposition leaders who have switched over to the saffron party include Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil and Kalidas Kolambkar.

Mr Khadse has been sulking in the BJP ever since he resigned from the state Cabinet following corruption allegations against him.

However, it appears that he is trying to mend relationships with his party rivals ahead of Assembly elections. Few days ago, he extended support to Girish Mahajan, who was being criticised for taking selfie on a rescue boat in flood-affected areas of Western Maharashtra.

While Mr Khadse and Mr Mahajan are local rivals from Jalgaon, the senior leader said, “People who were criticising Mr Mahajan must also acknowledge the work he did in these areas. He personally participated in rescue operations, entered shoulder-deep water and rescued people.”