Khadse had earlier sent these files to the CM in a hurry by bypassing the Civil Services Board.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is reviewing all the decision taken by Eknath Khadse during his reign as revenue minister. Fadnavis has returned all the files pertaining to the transfer of 110 District Magistrates and Tahsildars and asked bureaucrats to re-examine them to find if there were any irregularities. Khadse had earlier sent these files to Fadnavis in a hurry by bypassing the Civil Services Board. As per rules, the files have to be cleared by the Civil Services board before forwarding it to the Chief Minister for approval. However, Khadse had violated the norms and directly sent the files to the Fadnavis for scrutiny. Fadnavis refused to sign these files and instead ordered for them to be sent back to the Civil Services board.
According to sources, “The chief minister’s office is busy compiling details on the 119 key decisions taken by BJP leader Eknath Khadse as the revenue minister. This follows the diktat from BJP president Amit Shah. Shah wants to understand the slew of decisions taken by Khadse in his capacity as the revenue minister.”
Khadse had to step down over allegations of him receiving calls from underworld don Dawood Ibrahim’s residence. He is also facing allegations for the purchase of a three-acre Maharashtra Industrial Development Corp land in Pune at a low price of around Rs 3.75 crore from its original owner in the name of his wife and son-in-law. The market value of the land is reportedly Rs 40 crore.
The rivalry between Fadnavis and Khadse had started ever since BJP came into power and the former was elected as Chief Minister. Khadse being a senior member of the BJP too was a strong contender for the CM’s post. However, Fadnavis bagged the top job due to his proximity to the RSS and senior BJP leaders. Khadse also had demanded that a leader from north Maharashtra should be considered for the CM’s post but his views were not considered by senior leaders. Fadnavis who is younger to Khadse by 18 years superseded him to get the top post. Khadse also was unhappy with Fadnavis for overlooking his suggestions on transfers.
“The relations between Khadse and Fadnavis had strained after the latter became CM. Since past one and half years fiery exchanges took place between both these leaders,” added sources.
Khadse’s resignation has come at a time when BJP is preparing for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation election in 2017. On the other hand, Shiv Sena has been attacking BJP after Khadse’s ouster. Sena had also said that people like Khadse who had initially challenged them had to bite the dust.
Meanwhile Fadnavis said that a retired High Court judge will probe allegations against Khadse. “Eknath Khadseji has demanded an inquiry into allegations against him. A retired High Court judge will be appointed to conduct the inquiry,” Fadnavis tweeted.
In the last 20 months, the prominent decisions taken by Khadse include not to charge stamp duty while gifting of a property from husband to wife and vice versa and in blood relations.
