The Rise and Fall of Eknath Khadse

Shri. Eknath Khadse made headlines when he left the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a significant political party in India, to join the National Convention Party (NCP). This article will explore Khadse's journey through his political career, the reasons behind his departure from BJP, and his future prospects within the NCP.

A Vivid Political Career

Eknath Khadse is a prominent leader of the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) category and has had a substantial influence on the community in Maharashtra. His political career has seen him assume high-ranking positions within the BJP. Over the years, he has demonstrated unwavering loyalty and dedication to the party. His roles include:

Leader of Opposition from 2009 to 2014 Revenue and Agriculture Minister from 2014 to 2016 Finance and Irrigation Minister during the ShivSena coalition government from 1995 to 1999

Political Challenges and Departure

Tragically, Khadse's stint with the BJP was beset with challenges. Despite his years of diligent service, the party withheld a ministerial ticket for him. The reason cited was that Khadse faced a stigma of being corrupt, a label that his opponents, such as Devendra Fadnavis, propagated extensively.

Critics argue that Fadnavis, the former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, stigmatized Khadse as a corrupt minister to harm his political career. This strategy seems to have worked, as Fadnavis orchestrated a scenario where the police filed an FIR against Khadse, despite his eventual exoneration, to sideline him from the state's political landscape. This capricious move led Khadse to resign from the cabinet and ultimately depart from the BJP in 2016.

Moving Forward: A New Chapter with NCP

Khadse's transition to the NCP came as a strategic move to reposition himself and secure a frontline leadership role. As a prominent figure within the NCP, he hopes to leverage his experience and influence to achieve political success. The move to the NCP is seen as a way to escape the stigma that followed him within the BJP.

For Khadse, joining the NCP represents a chance to prove his worth and reinstate his standing in the political arena. Critics, however, warn that this may not be a permanent shift. The NCP may provide a platform for him, but the reality could be that his position will be marginalized, akin to 'na ghar ka na ghat ka' (neither at home nor in the community).

Despite the challenges, Khadse's resilience is evident, and the move to NCP could be a turning point in his political career. Whether this is the start of a new era or merely a temporary reprieve from the turmoil in BJP, only time will tell.

Keywords: Eknath Khadse, BJP, NCP, Political Career, Political Resignation