MUMBAI: Maharashtra revenue minister Eknath Khadse may have put in his papers, but questions about his fate continue to linger in party circles.
While some believe that the Pune land scam controversy has doomed his political career, others say he enjoys way too much clout to be sidelined by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
“There has been a cold war between the chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Khadse ever since the government was formed,” said a senior BJP minister, adding that he was unlikely to make a comeback to the cabinet.
However, a senior BJP functionary said the party could not afford to keep Khadse out – considering that he was a “strong leader from north Maharashtra” and a prominent OBC face. “The judicial probe is nothing but a political adjustment. Khadse’s return is imminent,” he added.
Terming Khadse as “aggressive”, the BJP functionary said the former minister would spark a revolt among his followers if he was not taken back into the cabinet.