Anjali Damania to begin protest outside Devendra Fadnavis’ residence to demand Eknath Khadse's resignation

Mumbai/Ahmednagar: Social activist Anjali Damania will on Thursday stage a sit-in outside Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra ​Fadnavis’ official residence in Mumbai to demand Eknath Khadse​'s resignation from the state Cabinet.

Damania will begin her indefinite fast outside the CM's official residence 'Varsha' on the Malabar Hill at 10 am.

Bharatiya Janata Party’s most senior minister, Eknath Khadse, is facing charges of corruption.

In a series of tweets, Damania said:

CM @Dev_Fadnavis, tom morn I have an Anshan. I have been denied sitting opp Varsha & Azad Maidan booked by Khadse. Is wise to sit at Azad?

— Mrs Anjali Damania (@anjali_damania) June 1, 2016

Azad Maidan tactfully booked by Khadse supporters & Mumb police not giving alternative option. No choice but to go to Varsha at 10 am — Mrs Anjali Damania (@anjali_damania) June 1, 2016

Damania met veteran social activist Anna Hazare on Wednesday in this regard.

 

She said Hazare will shortly speak to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue, as part of his anti-corruption agenda.

Damania showed Hazare the documents purportedly linking Khadse to certain scams and said the 78-year-old well known social activist was "shocked".

Took blessings of Annaji at Ralegan & showed him papers of Khadse.Shocked Annaji sd he will talk to CM & write to PM pic.twitter.com/nVObAsljWX — Mrs Anjali Damania (@anjali_damania) June 1, 2016

Meanwhile, the Mumbai Police slapped Damania with a notice prohibiting her from agitating in the sensitive VVIP zone.

Indefinite Fast demanding resignation of Khadse : I have been served notice by Mum Police not to sit outside Varsha. pic.twitter.com/KdpTuElOox — Mrs Anjali Damania (@anjali_damania) June 1, 2016

Some BJP activists and Khadse supporters burnt her effigy in Jalgaon, the northern Maharashtra district from where the minister hails.

BJP Jalgaon burning my effigy for fighting against corruption? Is this the culture? Is this how BJP respects women? pic.twitter.com/OUkxaKhL9y — Mrs Anjali Damania (@anjali_damania) June 1, 2016

Damania hit back at the BJP with a tweet: "Achche Din... Great, BJP! Instead of burning effigy of those indulging in corruption, you are targeting those fighting against graft."

Both Hazare and Damania have in the past targeted ministers, bureaucrats and officials for various acts of alleged corruption spanning several key government departments.

 

The beleaguered Khadse -- number two in the state Cabinet and holding around 10 key portfolios, including revenue -- has been accused of corruption by different opposition parties too, which have demanded his sacking or resignation.

Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam on Monday led a delegation to Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao to demand Khadse's removal.

On Monday, Pune-based businessman-cum-activist Hemant L Gawande accused Khadse, his wife and son-in-law of various irregularities in the purchase of a piece of land.

 

The ruling BJP, however, dismissed as "baseless and mala fide" the allegations against Khadse.

(With IANS inputs)