Maharashtra leader Eknath Khadse resigns from BJP, to join NCP

New Delhi, Oct 21

Veteran Maharashtra BJP leader Eknath Khadse will join the NCP this Friday ending days of speculation around his recent flirtations with the Sharad Pawar-led outfit.

Khadse had to resign as cabinet minister from the Devendra Fadnavis-led BJP government in Maharashtra in 2016 over allegations of graft and was later denied a ticket to run for Assembly election.

NCP leader and state minister Jayant Patil on Wednesday said that Khadse had resigned from the BJP and would be joining the NCP soon.

Patil is currently Water Resources Minister in Maharashtra.

Khadse is expected to join NCP on Friday along with his daughter Raksha Khadse and some supporters.

On Tuesday, Fadnavis had trashed talks that Khadse was mulling separation from the BJP, over long simmering discontent post his resignation from the cabinet in 2016.

Sharad Pawar on Monday praised Khadse saying Khadse as former Leader of Opposition in the state had contributed immensely to the growth of BJP in Maharashtra.