Winter session: Khadse scoffed at reports about leaving BJP

Disgruntled BJP leader Eknath Khadse has scoffed at rumours about quitting the party to join another party. Instead, Khadse wants to keep BJP guessing. Former minister and veteran OBC leader Khadse has been stepping up attack against BJP for his neglect and also of other leaders especially from OBC before and after the assembly poll. Already, Congress and NCP have invited Khdase, who is unhappy with the party’s style of functioning, to join them.

Last week, Khadse had said if party continues to humiliate him he will take an extreme step, including calling it a day. However, the party has taken a serious note of Khadse’s outburst and sent him a strong message to be ready for a disciplinary action if he continues to make statements targeting the party and its leadership. State party leadership has launched communication with Khadse to further avoid any damage to the party’s image.

Khadse’s visit to Nagpur during the winter session has fueled speculation he may leave BJP to join NCP. However, Khadse said,’’ I am in the orange city for my personal work. There has been constant dialogue with the party leadership. There is no question of leaving BJP.’’ He however, said he will meet non-BJP leaders.

His supporters are not ready to buy Khadse’s clarification. They fear Khadse may have to start afresh to consolidate his leadership if the party leadership decides to keep him away from the decision making. Already Khadse had openly sided with former minister and OBC leader Pankaja Munde saying party insiders are responsible for her humiliating defeat and the party needs to take a stern action against them. Meanwhile, Khadse, who had last week met CM Thackeray and NCP chief Sharad Pawar, has sought time for appointment with Pawar. NCP chief confirmed he will meet Khase. However, Pawar said ‘’I believe in dialogue with leaders from various political parties and listen to them.’’