Fadnavis confident Khadse will emerge clean

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today expressed confidence that former revenue minister Eknath Khadse, who had resigned from the state cabinet, would emerge clean from the probe into allegations against him.
While stating that he would not like to comment on the issues involving former state revenue minister who resigned recently in the wake of accusations of wrongdoing, as an inquiry has been ordered, Fadnavis nevertheless said "I am confident that Nathabhau (Khadse) will emerge clean from this "Agnipariksha" (test by fire)."
Khadse, who drew flak for alleged irregularity in buying an MIDC plot at Bhosari in Pune and subsequently stepped down, was present on the dais when Fadnavis made the comments during the two-day BJP state executive meeting here.

Addressing the meeting here, the chief minister attacked the opposition Congress and NCP saying they were "targeting" the ministers because there were no scams in the government that was working "honestly".
He alleged that NCP leaders had grabbed government plots and deserved criminal investigation into their dealings, adding that they had no moral right to accuse the BJP ministers of wrongdoing.
"Return the government plots before making such baseless allegations against our ministers", Fadnavis said.

Those who were present at the meeting included union ministers Venkaiah Naidu, Nitin Gadkari and BJP state president Raosaheb Danve.
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Fadnavis said the Opposition had adopted "Goebbels' propaganda strategy" in making false allegations against the ministers in his government.

He asked the party workers to dig out corruption scandals of the opposition leaders. "I want you to go out and dig out the scams of the opposition leaders and unmask them," he said.
Fadnavis noted that Khadse himself offered resignation in the wake of the controversies. "The Anti-Terrorism Squad has already given him a clean chit in the Dawood (calls) case and I am sure that in Bhosari land case too he will come out clean in an inquiry by a retired judge," the Chief Minister said.
As to the graft case against Gajanan Patil, Khadse's 'alleged PA', the ACB had cleared the former minister's name, Fadnavis said.

He also claimed that with 'Jalyukt Shivar' (water conservation) project, the parched Marathwada and other parts of the state were witnessing a major change.
"Water expert Rajendra Singh has also appreciated the Jalyukt Shivar project and said such projects should be replicated all over the country," he said.
Asking the party workers to prepare for the coming civic elections in the state, Fadnavis said, "We are gaining popularity through our work, so go to the masses and tell people about the development schemes of the government.