It is surprising that Maharashtra Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse still clings to his post. Each passing day brings further proof of his sordid conduct.
The report that he forced the Pune Police to go after the whistle-blower in the controversial land deal is no less shocking. Also, the fact that he bought the three-acre plot in the industrial estate near Pune for a mere Rs 3.75 crores but actually paid the stamp duty at Rs 31 crores makes the transaction highly incriminating. The scandal cannot disappear from the front pages of newspapers unless the deal is annulled and the possession of the said plot is taken by the Maharashtra Government. The original owner of the land should be paid compensation at the legally tenable rate once the transfer of land to Khadse's family is held null and void. The BJP leadership is making a mistake if it believes that the scandal will die down in the natural course, or Khadse might volunteer his resignation. The party should cut its losses and try and restore credibility of the Fadnavis Government by immediately dismissing Khadse. He cannot be allowed, any longer, to besmirch the image of the party.
