Many in BJP want to leave party, says Eknath Khadse

Former BJP leader Eknath Khadse, who joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Saturday, gave vent to his anger and frustration when he asserted that many people want to leave BJP and to stop them the party is saying that “the Maharashtra government is going to collapse”.

NCP supremo Sharad Pawar was present when Khadse joined NCP in Mumbai on Saturday. “Many in BJP want to leave the party. And to stop them and to stop them the party says the government (in Maharashtra) is going to collapse, but the government is not going to fall,” Khadse told ANI.

When asked about his priorities after joining NCP, Khadse said, “Firstly, I will work towards strengthening the organisation and secondly work with the government for development. My priority is to cooperate with the government to bring development in Khandesh region where I belong to.”

Earlier this week, Khadse had announced his intention to join the NCP and alleged that he had suffered a lot in the BJP.

Meanwhile, Khadse supporters in BJP’s Akola unit are gearing up to follow their leader. Thus there is a possibility that some big names in BJP may resign from the party membership as well. Prominent among them is former BJP akola district president Gajanan Bhatkar. Former MLA Narayanrao Gavhankar and former corporator Gopi Thakre may follow suit.

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The state BJP leaders have reacted to Khadse’s exit with caution. Former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, whom Khadse had named as the person responsible for him leaving BJP, said he will respond to Khadse’s allegations when the time is ripe. Union minister Raosaheb Danve too expressed disappointment at Khadse’s exit and said the party did everything it could to stop him from leaving.