MUMBAI: Shiv Sena today targeted former Maharashtra Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse again, saying he is "reaping what he sowed", and his rehabilitation depends on the outcome of a probe conducted by agencies controlled by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The latest attack on Khadse, who resigned in June over a slew of charges, came days after he reportedly said at a function that it was the party's faith in "breaking news" on electronic media that cost him his job.
"Khadse, in the presence of Education Minister Vinod Tawde, said despite knowing media news is not always true, the party (BJP) trusted media reports and wasted 40 years of his hard work (by asking him to resign)," an editorial in Sena mouthpiece Saamana said.
"(Agriculture Minister) Pandurang Fundkar and (state BJP chief) Raosaheb Danve have spoken in Khadse's favour. But in the end, whether one is innocent or not is established by state machinery which does not go against the orders of their political bosses," the editorial said.
"What you sow, so shall you reap. Khadse is experiencing it nowadays. He was enjoying being the key person who caused the BJP-Sena alliance to break (before the 2014 Assembly polls). Little did he know his happiness would be so short lived," the Sena said.
Only Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio (and has administrative control over probe agencies) knows if Khadse would be proved innocent and enjoy travelling in red beacon car once again (by becoming a minister), the ruling ally quipped.
In the eye of a storm over allegations of corruption, including irregularities in a land deal, Khadse had resigned from his ministerial post in June.
Khadse was considered as "number 2" in the Fadnavis Cabinet and handled some vital portfolios.
The BJP veteran denied the allegations and has repeatedly said the party leadership asked him to quit on the basis of unsubstantiated charges.