Maha minister Khot appears before his party's inquiry panel

Maharashtra minister Sadabhau Khot today appeared before an inquiry committee set up by his outfit Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana (SSS) to look into complaints made against him by its workers, and hinted at going separate ways.

Separately, speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Khot said he was being "sidelined" in the party and maintained a "split" looks imminent in the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana (SSS), an ally of the BJP-led NDA.

Talking to PTI in Pune, Khot, accused of "anti-party" activities, said he appeared before the committee and faced questions from its members.

"I was given a list of 26 questions and I answered all of them. Now, the ball is in their court and they should decide whether they want to keep me in the party or remove me," said Khot, the minister of state for agriculture in the Devendra Fadnavis-led BJP government.
 

Serious political differences cropped up between Khot and Raju Shetti, his one-time mentor and the face of the farmer party, over the agitation launched by cultivators in Maharashtra in June.

A section of the SSS has claimed Khot had sided with the BJP-led government, instead of the party, during the stir.

Giving details of his appearance before the panel, Khot said he was asked whether he was ready to discuss issues between him and Shetti across the table.

"I told them my doors are always open for a dialogue," Khot said, adding this was the last time he appeared before the inquiry panel.

The minister said he is tired of all these things and wants to put an end to them. "I told them whatever decision you take, it will be acceptable to me."

Khot said he has asked his supporters to be ready for charting a separate political course.

"I still believe in the leadership of the party and I have forgiven those who levelled personal allegations against me. I believe that organisation is important," he said.

Khot said he is planning to soon hold state-wide meetings with his supporters and then decide his future course of action.

Meanwhile, the committee members did not take any decision on Khot. One of its members said the panel will be sending a detailed report to the senior party functionaries who will decide the fate of Khot.

Speaking in Mumbai, Khot said he has sensed that he was being sidelined in the party organisation. "I shall tour the entire state and hold meetings with party cadres. The split in the Shetkari Sanghatna is imminent," Khot said.

The minister said he was committed to the welfare of farmers. "While discharging my duties as a minister, I had always kept the farmer interest as the focal point of all my administrative decisions."

Differences between Khot and Shetti came to the fore when the latter launched an agitation demanding complete loan waiver for farmers.

Khot did not join the stir and sided with the government. The party workers maintained Khot's stand detrimental to the interests of the outfit.