Pune: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday expressed confidence that former revenue minister Eknath Khadse, who had resigned from the state cabinet, would emerge clean from the probe into allegations against him.
While stating that he would not like to comment on the issues involving former state revenue minister who resigned recently in the wake of accusations of wrongdoing, as an inquiry has been ordered, Fadnavis nevertheless said "I am confident that Nathabhau (Khadse) will emerge clean from this "Agnipariksha" (test by fire)."
Khadse, who drew flak for alleged irregularity in buying an MIDC plot at Bhosari in Pune and subsequently stepped down, was present on the dais when Fadnavis made the comments during the two-day BJP state executive meeting here.
Addressing the meeting here, the chief minister attacked the opposition Congress and NCP saying they were "targeting" the ministers because there were no scams in the government that was working "honestly".
He alleged that NCP leaders had grabbed government plots and deserved criminal investigation into their dealings, adding that they had no moral right to accuse the BJP ministers of wrongdoing.
"Return the government plots before making such baseless allegations against our ministers", Fadnavis said.
Those who were present at the meeting included union ministers Venkaiah Naidu, Nitin Gadkari and BJP state president Raosaheb Danve.
Khadse resigned on June 4 after facing heat over a series of allegations including irregularities in a land deal here and calls allegedly received from mob boss Dawood Ibrahim's residence in Karachi on his mobile phone besides the alleged bribe sought by his "PA".
