Anjali Damania begins fast to seek Khadse's ouster

Former Aam Aadmi Party leader Anjali Damania on Thursday launched a hunger strike demanding an inquiry into allegations of corruption against Maharashtra Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse and sought his ouster from the state cabinet.

Damania, who met social activist Anna Hazare on Wednesday to seek his blessings before beginning the hunger strike, reached Azad Maidan in Mumbai for the fast.

She also demanded that the inquiry be completed within six months and the case be heard by a fast-track court.

"There are so many corruption allegations against Khadse and the government should take action regarding this. I met Anna and showed him all the documents against Khadse. Anna said it is a grave issue and assured me that he will call the chief minister and bring it to his notice. I also sought blessings from him before beginning the fast," Damania said.

"I won't give up my fast till the chief minister gives me a written assurance that the probe against Khadse will be completed in six months," she said.

The activist had alleged that Khadse's son-in-law had been flouting norms while modifying his car Limousine without seeking proper permission from the Regional Transport Office.

There were also allegations that Khadse had received calls from underworld don Dawood Ibrahim’s residence, she said.

Damania claimed that she wanted to hold the hunger strike near Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ official bungalow but was denied permission by the police.

The former AAP leader said this time she wanted the government to take action against the minister and withdraw all the departmental responsibilities from him.

"Whenever we bring corruption cases to the notice, we are told to go to the court. I have already filed PILs (public interest litigation) in the court on various issues. But then what is the government doing? It should act on the corruption cases. The court will do its duty. But the government should take action against Khadse," she said.

Asked what action she expects to be taken against Khadse, Damania said the government should conduct an inquiry.

"The government should conduct an inquiry into all the allegations against Khadse within six months. It has to be time-bound else it will never reach any conclusion. Also, the cases should be heard by the fast track court," she said.

Meanwhile, the AAP on Thursday announced its activists will hold protests against Khadse at five places in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, including Dadar and Parel.

An AAP delegation will meet Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao at Raj Bhavan here this evening to request immediate dismissal of Khadse and an independent probe on all charges, party’s spokesperson Preeti Sharma Menon, who will lead the delegation, said.