BJP's Eknath Khadse resigns as Maharashtra minister, says 'I am a victim of media trial'

Brazen BJP leader Eknath Khadse termed the charges against him as 'media trial'.

Pic courtesy: ANI

Mumbai: In the eye of a storm over allegations of corruption including irregularities in a land deal and link with underworld kingpin Dawood Ibrahim, Eknath Khadse on Saturday termed the charges against him as 'nothing but political conspiracy by opponents'.

Khadse, who earlier today, resigned from the post of Maharashtra Revenue Minister after meeting state Chief Minister Devndra Fadnavis at his official residence 'Varsha' here, was adressing a press conference as he said, "Have fought political battles for last 40 years. This is the first time in my life, I am facing a media trial."

Khadse, who has been facing heat over a series of allegations including irregularities in a land deal in Pune, defended himself on the controversy, and said, "Decision taken in people's favour hurt some selfish people. I did everything necessary to do the right thing. Whatever allegations you make, prove it with valid papers. No one has been able to produce concrete proof against me. I've given all info over my accounts in my affidavit with election documents.."

To a question, Khadse said that he has ''worked for expansion of BJP for the last 40 years and will quit politics if anyone can produce concrete proof against him". 

Not stopping here, Khadse also defended himself over controversy around his alleged link-up with underworld don and blamed hackers on receiving calls from Dawood's mobile. "I did not make any international calls, my phone was hacked. This is a conspiracy to defame BJP," he said. 

Meanwhile, the Congress demanded the state government to order a high level investigation into the allegations against Khadse, stating that 'resignation alone is not enough for the tainted BJP leader'.

"Only resignation will not do. We want a high level judicial inquiry into the scams involving Khadse. We don't trust this government, which may sabotage the investigation," Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan told PTI.

"It is good that he has resigned. But it is a delayed decision. The BJP had no option since the charges against Khadse like the MIDC land deal and Dawood call allegation are very serious in nature," Chavan, a former chief minister, said.