MH-KHADSE

Senior BJP leader and former

Maharashtra cabinet minister Eknath Khadse said Friday that he

knew who was the "shani" (Saturn) who ruined his political

career.

Khadse was speaking to reporters after attending the

BJP's national convention in New Delhi.

"I am not keen on contesting Lok Sabha elections.

Raksha-tai (Khadse's daughter-in-law) has done good work and

she has not lagged behind in keeping contact with the masses.

We expect her to get the ticket. However, whatever is decided

by the party will be acceptable to us," he said.

The former state revenue minister said he had not

decided on whether to contest the Assembly polls.

"But after working for many years and winning

elections.... I will take a decision on whether to contest or

not at the right time," he said.

Khadse resigned from the Maharashtra cabinet in 2016

after he was accused of misusing his official powers to

facilitate a land deal for his family. He denied all the

allegations.

"Allegations were made without any reason or fault of

mine. There was no truth to them....Staying away from politics

for three years is heart-wrenching, especially when I have

worked with honesty," the senior state BJP leader said.

Several investigations were conducted but no

allegations against him were proven, he noted.

It was as if he was suffering from `shani' (Saturn) in

his horoscope, Khadse said.

"I know who this shani is... I have started hating

politics now for being sidelined when my party is in power. If

doing all of this makes someone happy, I would not contest

elections at all," he said.