BJP Leader Eknath Khadse Quits Party, Set To Join NCP

Maharashtra senior BJP Leader Eknath Khadse, during a press conference on Wednesday, announced his resignation from the saffron party after serving for nearly 35 years.

Khadse blamed Devendra Fadnavis for his exit and accused the former Chief Minister of "destroying his life".

"Devendra Fadnavis destroyed my life. I spent four years in mental tension. I repeatedly said in my speeches that you are forcing me out of the party. I feel sad about quitting the BJP but I had no choice. There were attempts to frame me on false charges of rape," he said.

Khadse, a veteran BJP leader, was second in line in the Devendra Fadnavis cabinet before he was ousted out over allegations of corruption in 2016. He was also dropped as a candidate for last year's Maharashtra election.

According to NCP leader and Maharashtra Minister Jayant Patil, the now ex-BJP leader will join the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Friday.

"Eknath Khadse promoted BJP in Maharashtra over years. I've been informed that BJP leader Eknath Khadse has resigned from his party. We've decided to give him an entry in NCP. He will be formally inducted into NCP at 2 pm on Friday," he said.

Furthermore, it may be mentioned that there have been rumors making rounds in the last few days that Khadse may quit BJP and join NCP.