Over the past few days, there were speculations that Khadse will return to his original party which he had quit in 2016.
He had first resigned as Maharashtra minister following allegations of irregularities in an MIDC Bhosari land case.
In 2020, he joined the undivided NCP after alleging that Devendra Fadnavis was trying to finish off his political career.
“I have met party president J P Nadda and held discussions with him regarding my entry into the party,” Khadse told reporters in Jalgaon.
Khadse also denied he will rejoin the BJP when Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold his Lok Sabha election rally in Chandrapur in Maharashtra.
Confirming speculations that he will join the BJP just days ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Eknath Khadse, who is currently with the NCP(SP), said on Sunday he will join the party within the next fortnight.
Over the past few days, there were speculations that Khadse will return to his original party which he had quit in 2016. He had first resigned as Maharashtra minister following allegations of irregularities in an MIDC Bhosari land case. In 2020, he joined the undivided NCP after alleging that Devendra Fadnavis was trying to finish off his political career.
“I have met party president J P Nadda and held discussions with him regarding my entry into the party,” Khadse told reporters in Jalgaon.
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Khadse denied he had been pursuing the BJP to take him back into its fold. “For the last six months, I have been in conversation with some senior leaders. They urged me to return to the party,” he said.
Khadse also denied he will rejoin the BJP when Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold his Lok Sabha election rally in Chandrapur in Maharashtra. “No, my entry into BJP will take place in Delhi,” he said.
Khadse had received a notice from the Maharashtra government in October 2023, directing him to pay a fine of over Rs 137 crore for allegedly excavating minor minerals without permission. Khadse had then appealed to the state which last month stayed the order.
Reacting to Khadse’s decision, NCP (SP) chief spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said, “It will not make any difference to our party. It is not a big loss. Our party’s tallest leader Sharad Pawar who is our face as well.”
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The 2024 Lok Sabha elections will take place in five phases in Maharashtra between April 19 and May 20 and the votes will be counted on June 5.
When he was asked about his rivalry with Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Khadse said, “The bitterness in our relationship has come down, especially since I have been away from the party for a few years. We had ideological differences. Before leaving for Delhi to meet senior party leaders, I had called up Fadnavis and told him about it.”
Khadse said his daughter Rohini will stay back with NCP (SP). “I am not leaving the party. I will stay back with Sharad Pawar-led NCP. I am the party’s state women’s wing president,” Rohini Khadse said.
