Senior Maharashtra leader Eknath Khadse joins NCP in presence of Sharad Pawar

 Khadse left the BJP after nearly 40 years pinning the blame on the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly and former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Mumbai: Senior Maharashtra leader Eknath Khadse, who dumped the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), officially joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Friday (October 23) in presence of party chief Sharad Pawar, other senior leaders and ministers in Mumbai.

The action that drew the ire of many, was also not received well by Union Minister Raosaheb Danve, who hit out at his former party colleague and termed him as 'not an original BJP worker'.

Danve's statement comes two days after he praised Khadse for his contribution towards building the BJP in the state and also for his "long career" in the party.

Khadse, had been sulking since he was made to resign as a minister in 2016 in the then Devendra Fadnavis-led BJP government over corruption charges.

“I've asked often and repeatedly, what was my fault? I asked the question on the floor of the House. But I didn't get any answer,” said Khadse.

“After working for 40 years, what did I get in return? Anti-corruption, false allegations... I will strive to ensure NCP grows by twice what I did for the BJP,” claimed Khadse.

He further stated, “Backstabbing isn't my habit. I have never fired from someone else's shoulder nor did I use a woman to attack.”