MUMBAI: Minister of state for Agriculture Sadabhau Khot has been expelled from his party Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana (SSS) on Monday. A four-member committee appointed by the party to look into Khot’s conduct announced this decision at Pune.
The opposition has been demanding Housing Minister Prakash Mehta’s resignation for writing a false note on a file regarding a crucial decision. Sadbhau Khot’s expulsion is expected to add strength to their attack.
The SSS committee under Dashrath Sawant said in its statement that while there are doubts about his loyalty towards the party, several allegations levelled against Sadbhau Khot are maligning the party’s image leading to his expulsion.
They, however, clarified that they have not asked him to vacate his post in the cabinet as that is beyond their functioning.
“We can only say that the ministerial berth was from the quota of the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana and hence it would be logical for him to vacate it,” Dashrath Sawant said.
Sadbhau Khot, who was at his hometown Islampur in Sangli district, said he is in no hurry to take any decision.
“The decision was expected. The party leadership had made up its mind to sack me long back. Appointing a disciplinary action committee, sending me show cause notice and expecting a reply from me were just formalities,” he said.
“I was elected as Member of the State Legislative Council (MLC) by the elected members of the Assembly (MLAs) as a BJP candidate. So the fate of my ministerial post lies with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis,” Sadbhau Khot added.