Eknath Khadse's BJP Return Sparks 'Extinguished Lamp' Remark from Mahajan

In a recent development within Maharashtra's political landscape, BJP leader Girish Mahajan has made a striking comment about Eknath Khadse, a former colleague who announced his intention to return to the BJP. Khadse, who left the BJP in 2020 to join the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), found himself without a political stronghold after a split within the NCP in July last year. Mahajan's remarks likened Khadse to an "extinguished lamp," questioning the significance of his decision to rejoin the BJP.

Mahajan highlighted Khadse's current lack of influence, noting that he no longer controls even a gram panchayat and has lost his grip over a bank's board of directors, which he used to manage. This statement underscores the political isolation Khadse faces, with even his family members experiencing electoral defeats. Khadse's wife and daughter have both lost elections in recent years, further illustrating the challenges facing the Khadse family within Maharashtra's political arena.

Eknath Khadse, who served as the Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly from 2009 to 2014, was once a chief ministerial contender. Despite the BJP's victory in the 2014 Assembly polls, Khadse was surpassed by Devendra Fadnavis for the chief minister's position. His political career faced a setback in 2016 when he resigned from the Fadnavis ministry amid allegations of irregularities in a land deal.

Adding to the family's political narrative, Khadse's daughter Rohini contested the 2019 Assembly polls from Muktainagar on a BJP ticket but was defeated by Independent candidate Chandrakant Nimba Patil. Eknath Khadse attributed her defeat to internal sabotage within the BJP. Despite these setbacks, MLA Patil has expressed support for the NDA but awaits official confirmation of Khadse's return to the BJP.

Amidst these developments, Rohini Khadse took to social media to announce her decision to stay with the NCP under Sharadchandra Pawar, diverging from her father's political path. Meanwhile, Raksha Khadse, Khadse's daughter-in-law, continues her tenure as a BJP Lok Sabha MP from Raver since 2014, highlighting the varied political affiliations within the Khadse family.

The unfolding scenario presents a complex picture of loyalty shifts and internal dynamics within Maharashtra's political parties. As Eknath Khadse navigates his potential return to the BJP, observers are keenly watching how these moves will impact the state's political equilibrium.