BJP’s Eknath Khadse may join NCP this week

MUMBAI: Eknath Khadse, BJP’s senior-most leader in Maharashtra, is likely to join NCP this week. Khadse had been disgruntled ever since he had to resign as a minister from the erstwhile Devendra Fadnavis government in Maharashtra.

Khadse is likely to join NCP along with his supporters. However, his daughter-in-law Raksha Khadse, who is an MP from Raver Lok Sabha constituency in Jalgaon, will remain in BJP.

While referring to Khadse’s entry in NCP, party chief Sharad Pawar on Monday had said the former had proved himself to be a capable leader.


Pawar claimed that he viewed Khadse as the “most effective opposition leader in the last 20-25 years”.

However, the NCP Chief added that Khadse had to take a decision on quitting BJP. While Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil has maintained that Khadse will remain with BJP, sources said the decks have been cleared.

“Most likely it will be done this week. He (Khadse) joining NCP will be an asset as he would go all out against BJP,” said an NCP leader.