The fate of Maharashtra Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse, who is in the eye of a storm over allegations of corruption, hangs in balance even as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah and said the party will decide "appropriate action".
A top party later said action will be taken against Khadse but it will not happen "today", indicating that it may come in some time.
After a meeting with Shah, Fadnavis said he has submitted a report to him and they discussed the matter.
"I have submitted a factual report on the matters which have come up recently. We have discussed them as well. The party will direct whatever appropriation has to be taken ahead," he told reporters after the meeting.
He later had a meeting with Modi during which he is believed to have discussed the raging issue over Khadse, who also allegedly received telephone calls from a Dawood Ibrahim aide.
Khadse has been attacked by political rivals and BJP ally Shiv Sena over the alleged impropriety over purchase of a land belonging to the government-owned MIDC in Pune at a throwaway price.
BJP sources said Shah considers allegations against Khadse "serious". Political rivals are also using them to put the party in the dock over its claim of providing "corruption- free" government.
Khadse is in a spot over the purchase of 3-acre Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation land in Bhosari allegedly at a low price of around Rs 3.75 crore from its original owner in the name of his wife and son-in-law. The market value of the land is reportedly Rs 40 crore.
However, the political stature of Khadse, an OBC leader who was a strong contender for the chief minister's post, is also weighing in the mind of the party's leadership before any action could be taken against him.
Khadse has insisted he has done no wrong.
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Speaking to reporters in his hometown of Jalgaon, Khadse said he would abide by the party's directives.
"I will follow my party's instructions and will abide by its decisions," he told news channels.
He, however, added: "The party leadership will not arrive at any decision in my case unless it is convinced (about the facts).
"I have worked for the party for the last 40 years to build it in the state. This cannot be negated suddenly. I have documents about my transactions...(those transactions) have no discrepancy," he said.
He would continue to tour to study the drought situation in the state along with the Central team delegated for the purpose, said the senior minister, who skipped a state cabinet meeting the day before yesterday in the midst of allegations and left for Jalgaon.
