Maharashtra: Former BJP leader Eknath Khadse joins NCP

Former Maharashtra BJP leader Eknath Khadse on Friday joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in the presence of the party''s chief Sharad Pawar.

Eknath Khadse had recently resigned from the BJP said on Wednesday that he will join the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on October 23.

"I will join the NCP on October 23," Khadse told reporters. He also alleged that he has suffered a lot in the BJP.

"The then CM (Devendra Fadnavis) instructed the police to register an FIR against me on a false allegation of harassment by a woman. He said the case would be withdrawn later. A corruption inquiry was initiated against me in which I came clean. I suffered a lot in the BJP," Khadse said.

NCP is part of the ruling alliance in the state along with Shiv Sena and Congress, whose Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government assumed office 11 months ago.

Jayant Patil welcomed Khadse in the party, by offering him a scarf.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Khadse had blamed Fadnavis for "trying to destroy his life" and political career, over three decades of it spent in strengthening the BJP in Maharashtra.

Maharashtra: Eknath Khadse joins NCP (Nationalist Congress Party), in presence of party chief Sharad Pawar in Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/43aKjIpCmW

— ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2020