Eknath Khadse

In a veiled attack on Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, sulking BJP leader Eknath Khadse today said ministers in the state are "afraid" of speaking up. Khadse, who resigned as Revenue Minister in 2016 owing to allegations of corruption and conflict of interest in a land deal, has been struggling for his political rehabilitation and had often taken potshots at Fadnavis.

At the same time, Khadse hailed the BJP and the Maharashtra government for successfully rolling out a number of "good" schemes. "Ministers and party cadres look up to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for directions and are afraid to speak for the fear of being caught on the wrong foot," he said in an informal chat with reporters here today. Khadse said despite announcing good schemes, including a mega loan waiver, the BJP and the state government are falling short of taking them to the people.