Former BJP leader Eknath Khadse has announced his decision to rejoin the party, causing unrest within the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP (SCP) units in Jalgaon. Khadse, who played a significant role in establishing the party’s base in Maharashtra, expressed his desire to return to the BJP and strengthen the party in the state. Khadse had previously accused Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of targeting him within the party. In the 2014 assembly elections, despite being hopeful of becoming the Chief Minister, Khadse was bypassed in favor of Fadnavis. The relationship between the two leaders had been strained since then.

In the 2019 assembly elections, Khadse was denied a ticket, and his daughter Rohini, who was given the nomination, lost. Subsequently, Khadse quit the BJP in 2020 and joined the NCP. However, he has now resolved his differences with Fadnavis and stated that they both belong to the same house (BJP) and that he holds no animosity towards Fadnavis or anyone in the party. Khadse is currently in Mumbai but plans to meet NCP (SCP) chief Sharad Pawar and state party chief Jayant Patil to convey his decision to rejoin the BJP.

His decision to rejoin the BJP has caused tension within the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP (SCP) units in Jalgaon. The Jalgaon BJP unit is predominantly loyal to Fadnavis’s close aide and BJP minister Girish Mahajan, who is considered a political adversary of Khadse. This development could lead to a power struggle between the two senior leaders.

The Jalgaon NCP (SCP) unit is also unhappy with Khadse’s decision to leave the party, especially when the Lok Sabha polls are approaching. Khadse had been entrusted with overseeing the party’s poll campaign in Jalgaon’s Raver constituency. Similarly, sitting independent MLA Chandrakant Patil from Muktainagar, who is with the Shiv Sena, could face difficulties if Khadse’s daughter Rohini also joins the BJP. Patil might have to contest as an independent candidate, which could strain his relationship with Khadse.

Source: Times of India