Devendra Fadnavis never opposed Eknath Khadse: Chandrashekhar Bawankule

Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Sunday said state Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis never opposed veteran leader Eknath Khadse who is set to return to the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 reported the PTIMore than three years after he ended his 40yearold association with the BJP following differences with state leadership and crossed over to the Sharad Pawarled NCP undivided Eknath Khadse on Saturday said that he will join BJP next week in New Delhi as per the PTIEknath Khadse had to resign in 2016 as a minister of the erstwhile Devendra Fadnavis cabinet owing to a land deal caseOnce one of the tallest leaders of the BJP in Maharashtra Eknath Khadse was relegated to the political wilderness for almost five years before Sharad Pawar rehabilitated him in NCP undivided in 2020Notably Eknath Khadse had blamed Devendra Fadnavis and his confidant Girish Mahajan for harming his political careerEknath Khadses entry into the BJP is expected to revive the partys strength in north Maharashtra regionWhen asked if Devendra Fadnavis has any objection to Eknath Khadses return to the BJP Chandrashekhar Bawankule told reporters in Maharashtras Pune Devendra Fadnavis never opposed Eknath Khadse In fact Devendra Fadnavis treated him with utmost respect when he was with the BJP and I am a witness to itThere is a central as well as state committee of our party which looks after the new joinings Both the committees will take a decision on Eknath Khadse joining the BJP he said according to the PTIDevendra Fadnavis always extended full cooperation to Eknath Khadse when he was the cabinet minister under him the BJP leader said adding that personal relations with Eknath Khadse were not damaged even when he had left the party the news agency reported on SundayChandrashekhar Bawankule who took part in the BJPs Ghar Chalo campaign here ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2024 said the party never refused anyone from joining itA number of leaders including Ashok Chavan Archana Patil among others joined us Our dupatta the party scarf is ready for those who want to join our party the BJP leader said the news agency reportedFormer Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan quit the Congress in February this year and joined the BJPArchana Patil the daughterinlaw of senior Congress leader and former Union home minister Shivraj Patil also joined the BJP recentlyEknath Khadses daughterinlaw Raksha Khadse is the sitting BJP MP from Raver who is seeking a third term to the Lok Sabha in the upcoming electionsHis daughter Rohini Khadse is with the NCP Sharadchandra PawarAsked about Rohini Khadses announcement of staying with the NCP SP as its state womens unit head Bawankule said The decision on Eknath Khadses induction into the BJP will be taken by the state and national level committees However no induction will take place in isolation There has to be a proper and wellthought out decision as per the PTIThe party has opened its doors for all the people who wish to join the BJP he saidWe do not discriminate among people joining the BJP and those switching from other political backgrounds such as the Congress he said the news agency reportedTo a query on the seatsharing not finalised among the ruling BJP Shiv Sena and NCP in Maharashtra Chandrashekhar Bawankule said Most of the discussions have reached a conclusion level Once we meet all the decisions will be taken in just halfanhour We have reached some decisions unanimouslywith PTI inputs