Eknath Khadse takes chopper to Mumbai, hints at dropping 'bomb' on BJP

Senior Maharashtra leader Eknath Khadse who quit the Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday made a grand entry by helicopter into Mumbai and as he prepares to join the ruling coalition partner Nationalist Congress Party NCP hinted at dropping a political bomb on his former partyAccompanied by wife Manda and daughter Rohini KhadseKhevalkar he was lustily cheered and welcomed by a large group of his supporters some even waving NCP flags when he alighted from a private chopper this afternoon flying in from Jalgaon and then heading for his Mumbai residenceEarlier interacting with media persons in his Muktainagar home Khadse hinted at dropping political bombs on his former party claiming that many BJP sitting legislators were in contact with him but could not come out in the open owing to the antidefection lawsBesides he said another dozenodd former BJP legislators several district leaders cooperative bank directors party activists and supporters are likely to accompany him when he joins the NCP on Friday afternoonNCP spokesperson Mahesh Tapase told IANS that they have organised a function on Friday afternoon where he will join the party in the presence of NCP President Sharad Pawar and other senior leaders ministers etcHowever it is not clear how many other people would switch loyalties to the NCP along with Khadse although several BJP bigwigs including Leader of Opposition in the Council Pravin Darekar assured that no legislators are with KhadseOn Wednesday Khadse quit the BJP after nearly 40 years and held Leader of Opposition in the Assembly and former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis responsible for his decision while Maha Vikas Aghadi partners Shiv Sena NCP and Congress welcomed his moveHe revealed that besides NCP he was given offers by even Sena and Congress and at least one party had even offered him a ticket in the 2019 Assembly elections but he did not take up as he expected justice from the BJP leadershipReferring to the former CM Fadnavis oftrepeated election warcry Me Punha Yaeen I Will Return Khadse took a swipe at him by saying people did not like his Me attitude and he should have stuck to the collective WeOn his role and responsibilities in the NCP Khadse kept his cards close to the chest by saying he had not been given any specific offer either in the government or the party by NCPNeither do I have any expectations from NCP but I would strive to work for the development of my region through the MVA government he saidHowever wellplaced MVA sources reveal that Khadse would be nominated to the Legislative Council and given a plum portfolio possibly the Agriculture Ministry in tune with his stature and experienceThis in turn would necessitate a cabinet reshuffle ahead of the first anniversary of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackerays government which assumed office on November 28 2019 said the sourcesKeep scrolling to read more newsCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates MidDay is now on Telegram Click here to join our channel middayinfomedialtd and stay updated with the latest newsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever