A day ago, Khadse targeted Mahajan; Opp says misuse of police machinery

Indian Express

5 days ago

A day before the arrest of Eknath Khadse's son-in-law in connection with the alleged drug seizure at a Pune apartment Sunday, the former state minister had launched an attack on BJP minister Girish Maharaj alleging lack of development in Jalgaon.
After the arrest as well, Khadse, hinting at his tussle with Mahajan, said: 'I was suspecting that something like this would happen because of the prevailing political scenario.'
The Opposition leaders also linked the arrest to Khadse's allegations against Mahajan, claiming that the BJP-led government is using police to target opponents.
Meanwhile, minister Mahajan said that if Khadse believed his son-in-law would be framed, he should have alerted him.
On Saturday, at a press conference, Khadse targeted his long-time rival Mahajan asking what development has he brought to Jalgaon — both the leaders hail from the district.
'What has he brought for Jalgaon in the name of development ? Where is the textile park project. ? Tell me, which big development project has this minister brought in for Jalgaon district ?…Where is the animal husbandry college ?…For 30 years, several projects of Jalgaon district are pending…I am the only one who was raising issues of Jalgaon and issues of farmers from Maharashtra,' Khadse said.
Claiming that he will continue his work on the development front in Maharashtra , he said, 'I have never bowed before anyone and will never bow before anyone…I have always taken things to a logical conclusion.'
Challenging Mahajan, Khadse said, 'He should accept the challenge of getting a narco test on Praful Lodha…Why is he running away ?'
The Opposition had claimed that Praful Lodha, alleged to be a close aide of Mahajan once, was the alleged mastermind behind a 'honeytrap operation' which was used to bring down the MVA government in 2022.
Demanding Mahajan's resignation, Khadse said, 'Girish Mahajan should take moral responsibility and resign…Whenever there is an issue, why is Girish Mahajan's name always right upfront ?'
On Sunday, Khadse's son-in-law Pranjal Khewalkar and six others were arrested after the Pune City police said it seized drugs during a raid at an apartment where they were allegedly partying.
Minutes after the arrest, Mahajan said, 'At yesterday's press conference Khadse had raised the question as to how drugs are making their way into Chalisgaon. And today, his son-in-law has been caught holding a rave party with drugs.'
Mahajan said if Khadse was alleging conspiracy, then he should wait for the investigation to get over. 'His son-in-law is not a small child to be taken away at night,' he said.
Slamming the state government over the arrest, Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut said, 'Khadse held a press conference and spoke against the state government with proof and a day later, his son-in-law was arrested. The government is not ready to investigate the allegations made by Khadse but instead it prefers to arrest those who make allegations.'
'Anything can happen during the tenure of the Mahayuti government. The police machinery is being used to target the opponents of BJP,' he alleged.
State Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe alleged that the government is going behind those who bring out its wrongdoings.
'We don't trust what the police and the state government have done. They might even have planted the drugs. This government and its police machinery are highly untrustworthy. The Mahayuti government is going after the opposition leaders and their families because we are bringing out their wrongdoings,' he said.