‘Sulking’ Eknath Khadse hits out at Maha Govt for berths to defectors

MUMBAI: Senior Maharashtra BJP leader Eknath Khadse has once again fired potshots at the party leadership over Sunday’s cabinet reshuffle.

The disgruntled leader, in a television interview to a news channel, poured scorn on new entrants who were joining the party after quitting the Congress and NCP, as well as the BJP itself. “The party has given opportunities to newcomers. However, those who have worked for many years and have been elected three to four times have not gotten opportunities. This is why the cadres are hurt and their pain is natural,” Khadse told the channel.

The BJP leader also took aim at former Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and former NCP leader Jaydutta Kshirsagar who joined the BJP and Shiv Sena, respectively, and were sworn in as ministers. Khadse said that he was unlike other leaders who had quit for ministerial posts. He said he would remain in the BJP despite offers from other parties. Khadse’s anger comes as he has once again been ignored in the cabinet reshuffle which took place on Sunday.