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{{short description|Indian politician}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2014}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| office = Revenue & Agriculture Minister of Maharashtra<ref name="Khadse Resigns as Maharashtra Minister Over Corruption Allegations">{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/politics/eknath-khadse-resigns-as-maharashtra-minister-over-corruption-allegations-1251975.html|title=Eknath Khadse Resigns as Maharashtra Minister Over Corruption Allegations|date=4 June 2016|website=News18}}</ref>
| order =
| term_start = 31 October 2014
| term_end = 4 June 2016<ref name="Khadse Resigns as Maharashtra Minister Over Corruption Allegations"/>
| term_start2 =
| term_end2 = 2016
| name = Eknath Khadse
| native_name_lang = mr
| image =
| caption =
| predecessor = [[President's rule]]
| successor = [[Chandrakant Bacchu Patil]]
| constituency_AM1 = [[Muktainagar (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Muktainagar]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/statedraft/the-relegation-of-maharashtra-minister-eknath-khadse-from-cm-aspirant-to-just-another-mla/184247/|title=The relegation of Maharashtra minister Eknath Khadse — from CM aspirant to just another MLA|first=Manasi|last=Phadke|date=28 January 2019}}</ref>
| assembly1 = Maharashtra Legislative
| term_start1 = 1989
| term_end1 = 2019
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1952|09|02|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Muktainagar]], [[Bombay State]], [[India]]
| nationality =
| party = [[Nationalist Congress Party]] (2020 – present)<ref name="joined NCP"/>
| otherparty = [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (1987 – 21 October 2020)
| alma_mater =
| spouse = Manda<ref>{{cite news |last1=कुलकर्णी |first1=मुकुल |title=घरावर तुळशीपत्र ठेवून नाथाभाऊंचं पक्षासाठी काम;एकनाथ खडसे यांच्या पत्नी मंदाताई 'माझा'वर |url=https://marathi.abplive.com/videos/news/maharashtra-exclusive-chat-with-eknath-khadse-wife-manda-khadse-820265/ |access-date=20 March 2021 |work=[[ABP Majha]] |date=22 October 2020 |language=mr}}</ref>
| children = 3, including [[Rohini Khadse-Khewalkar]]
| website = {{URL|http://www.nathabhau.com}}
| footnotes =
| native_name =
| district =
| state1 =
| portfolio =
| bodyclass =
| residence = [[Kothadi]], Muktainagar, [[Jalgaon District]], Maharashtra, India
| image name =
| preceded =
| width = 30*30
| mainwidth = 23em
| office3 = Finance & Irrigation Minister of Maharashtra
| term_start3 = 1995
| term_end3 = 1999<ref name="From sarpanch to Number 2">{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/eknath-khadses-political-journey-from-sarpanch-to-number-2-in-cabinet/articleshow/52589896.cms|title=Eknath Khadse's political journey: From sarpanch to Number 2 in Cabinet|work=The Economic Times}}</ref>
| office4 = Leader of opposition in Maharashtra legislative assembly<ref name="From sarpanch to Number 2"/><ref>{{cite news |title=5 MLAs suspended from Maharashtra assembly |url=https://www.rediff.com/amp/news/report/five-mlas-suspended-from-maharashtra-assembly/20101202.htm |access-date=20 March 2021 |work=[[rediff]] |date=December 2, 2010}}</ref>
| term_start4 = 2009
| term_end4 = 2014
| predecessor4 = [[Ramdas Kadam]]
| governor-general2 =
| successor1 = [[Chandrakant Nimba Patil]]
| leader = [[Devendra Fadnavis]] (Chief minister)
|governor = [[C. Vidyasagar Rao]]
}}

'''Eknath Khadse''' (born 2 September 1952) is a politician and leader of the [[Nationalist Congress Party]] in [[Maharashtra]] state.<ref>{{cite web |title=SHRI EKNATHRAO GANPATRAO KHADSE |url=https://legislativebodiesinindia.nic.in/States/Maharashtra/lop.htm |website=legislativebodiesinindia.nic.in |publisher=Legislative Bodies in India |access-date=20 March 2021}}</ref><ref name="joined NCP">{{cite news |last1=Mukane |first1=Pratik |title=Eknath Khadse joins NCP in presence of Sharad Pawar |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/other/eknath-khadse-joins-ncp-in-presence-of-sharad-pawar/articleshow/78826785.cms |accessdate=23 October 2020 |work=Mumbai Mirror |date=23 October 2020 |language=en}}</ref> He was a [[2014 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly election|Member of Legislative Assembly of Maharashtra]] from [[Muktainagar]] constituency for six consecutive terms till 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/statedraft/the-relegation-of-maharashtra-minister-eknath-khadse-from-cm-aspirant-to-just-another-mla/184247/|title=Khadse is six time MLA of Muktainagar.|last=Phadke|first=Mansi|date=4 April 2020|website=The Print|access-date=4 April 2020}}</ref> He was a member of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] from 1987 until his resignation in October 2020.<ref name="resignation letter">{{cite news |last1=मरगळे |first1=प्रविण |title=Eknath Khadse: एकनाथ खडसेंनी भाजपाला दिला २ ओळींचा राजीनामा; राष्ट्रवादीत मिळणार मोठी जबाबदारी |url=https://www.lokmat.com/politics/eknath-khadse-resigned-bjp-ncp-will-have-responsibility-agriculture-ministry-a629/ |accessdate=21 October 2020 |work=Lokmat |date=21 October 2020 |language=mr-IN}}</ref><ref name="resign"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Dahat |first1=Pavan |title='I Built BJP In Maharashtra': Eknath Khadse Quits To Join NCP, All Eyes On Pankaja Munde Now |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/eknath-khadse-quits-bjp_in_5f8ffa30c5b61c185f459589 |accessdate=21 October 2020 |work=HuffPost India |date=21 October 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

==Political career==
===Early years===
Khadse lost his first election when he contested in [[Gram panchayat]] elections in Kothadi village. Later he became ''[[sarpanch]]'' of [[Kothadi]] village in 1984.he remained Sarpanch of Kothadi from 1984 to 1987.<ref name="From sarpanch to Number 2"/> In 1989, he was elected as member of the Maharashtra [[Maharashtra Legislative Assembly|legislative assembly]] (MLA) for the [[Muktainagar (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Muktainagar constituency]].

Khadse entered in active politics as a BJP worker in the 1980s and helped the party BJP establish its base in North Maharashtra<ref name=print1>{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/statedraft/the-relegation-of-maharashtra-minister-eknath-khadse-from-cm-aspirant-to-just-another-mla/184247/|title=The relegation of Maharashtra minister from chip minister aspirant to just MLA.|last=Phadke|first=Mansi|date=4 April 2020|website=The Print|access-date=4 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-fierce-and-dynamic-eknath-khadse-enjoyed-red-beacon-for-22-years-2220006 |title=Fierce and dynamic, Eknath Khadse enjoyed red beacon for 22 years |last=Suryawanshi |first=Sudhir |date=5 June 2016 |website=DNA India}}</ref> In 1990's Khadse led karsevaks during [[Ram Janmabhoomi movement]]. He was arrested at [[Jhansi]] by [[Uttarpradesh]] police and was jailed for a month.<ref name="Rise and fall economictimes">{{Cite web|title=Rise and fall of former BJP minister Eknath Khadse - Eknath Khadse, the BJP leader|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/people/rise-and-fall-of-former-bjp-minister-eknath-khadse/political-career-continues/slideshow/52600774.cms|access-date=2021-02-28|website=The Economic Times}}</ref>

Hailing from influential ''Leva Patil'' community in North Maharashtra, Khadse quickly positioned himself as an [[Other Backward Class|OBC]] leader.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Srivastava |first1=Ritesh K |title=BJP on 'Red Alert', will OBC vote bank migrate with Eknath Khadse in Maharashtra? |url=https://zeenews.india.com/maharashtra/bjp-on-red-alert-will-obc-vote-bank-migrate-with-eknath-khadse-in-maharashtra-2319125.html |accessdate=21 October 2020 |work=Zee News |date=21 October 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

===State Minister (1995-1999)===
In 1995, Khadse became a minister in Chief Minister [[Manohar Joshi]]'s state cabinet. He was close to then deputy CM and BJP leader [[Gopinath Munde]] and handled finance and irrigation portfolios between 1995–1999.<ref>{{Cite web|title=मुंडे असते तर अन्याय झाला नसता: खडसे|url=https://maharashtratimes.com/maharashtra/jalgaon-news/eknath-khadse-again-attacks-state-bjp-leadership-while-praising-late-gopinath-munde/articleshow/72472838.cms|access-date=2021-02-28|website=Maharashtra Times|language=mr}}</ref> After Joshi's resignation as the chief minister, he took oath as minister when [[Narayan Rane]] became Chief minister.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rane sworn in along with jumbo team |url=http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/ie/daily/19990202/ipo02038p.html |access-date=20 March 2021 |work=[[Indian Express]] |date=February 1, 1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715012623/http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/ie/daily/19990202/ipo02038p.html |archive-date=15 July 2014 }}</ref>

On 13 December 2005 Eknath Khadse was suspended for six months from Maharashtra state assembly's lower house due to making derogatory remarks against the then speaker Babasaheb Kupekar and Deputy speaker Pramod Shende in their chambers.<ref>{{cite news |title=3 BJP MLAs suspended from Maharashtra Assembly |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-3-bjp-mlas-suspended-from-maharashtra-assembly-1001963 |access-date=20 March 2021 |work=[[DNA India]] |date=13 December 2005 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Politically Incorrect |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/other/politically-incorrect/articleshow/15969165.cms |access-date=20 March 2021 |work=[[Mumbai Mirror]] |date=November 11, 2009 |language=en}}</ref>

===Opposition leader (2009-2014)===
Khadse served as the leader of the opposition from November 2009 to October 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://onlinenews1.lokmat.com/php/detailednews.php?id=MainEdition-1-1-14-03-2011-528e8&ndate=2011-03-14&editionname=main|title=Archived copy|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823174738/http://onlinenews1.lokmat.com/php/detailednews.php?id=MainEdition-1-1-14-03-2011-528e8&ndate=2011-03-14&editionname=main|archive-date=23 August 2011|access-date=14 March 2011}}</ref> His successful tenure as the opposition leader led BJP to the victory in later 2014 election.<ref name="Rise and fall economictimes"/>

===2014 elections and chief minister contention===
He announced breakup of long-held Shivsena-BJP alliance before [[2014 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly election|2014 assembly election]] and BJP decided to contest that election alone without [[Shiv Sena]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Maharashtra Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse says BJP broke off alliance with Shiv Sena at his behest|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/maharashtra-revenue-minister-eknath-khadse-says-bjp-broke-off-alliance-with-shiv-sena-at-his-behest/articleshow/48854102.cms?from=mdr|access-date=2021-02-27}}</ref> He assured [[Narendra Modi]] that BJP can win this election on their own.<ref>{{Cite web|title=BJP Broke Off Alliance With Sena at My Behest: Maharashtra Revenue Minister|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bjp-broke-off-alliance-with-sena-at-his-behest-maharashtra-revenue-minister-1214961|access-date=2021-02-27|website=NDTV.com}}</ref> After the strong showing in 2014 elections, Khadse was seen as the strong conteder for the role of Chief minister of Maharashtra,<ref name="print1" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=Chandavarkar|first=Rohit|title=Maharashtra Assembly Polls 2014: Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Khadse, Sudhir Mungantiwar in the race of next Maharashtra chief minister|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/maharashtra-assembly-polls-2014-devendra-fadnavis-eknath-khadse-sudhir-mungantiwar-in-the-race-of-next-maharashtra-chief-minister/articleshow/44903588.cms?from=mdr|access-date=2021-02-27}}</ref> but [[Devendra Fadnavis]] was ultimately chosen for the post.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/west/story/live-devendra-fadnavis-maharashtra-chief-minister-modi-bjp-shiv-sena-225311-2014-10-31|title=Devendra Fadnavis took oath as first Chief minister of Maharashtra cabinet minister Eknath Khadse took oath.|last=|date=31 October 2014|website=India Today|access-date=22 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Tare |first1=Kiran |title=Why Eknath Khadse's exit is a blot on ex-CM Fadnavis's image |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/why-eknath-khadse-s-exit-is-a-blot-on-ex-cm-fadnavis-s-image-1734904-2020-10-25 |access-date=20 March 2021 |work=[[India Today]] |date=October 25, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Khadse held more than dozen portfolios during the first two years including ministries of excise, revenue, and agriculture.

===Resignation from ministry (2016)===
On 3 June 2016, Khadse resigned as Revenue Minister following allegations of corruption and misuse of office.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/maharashtra-revenue-minister-eknath-khadse-resigns-after-allegations-of-impropriety-in-land-deal-2834009/|title=Maharashtra Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse resigns after allegations of impropriety in land deal|date=4 June 2016|access-date= 16 April 2020|publisher= Indian Express}}</ref> Since then he was sidelined by BJP and ignored by central leadership.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-22|title='Stop Using My Name to Settle Scores with Opponents': Social Activist Anjali Damania Warns Eknath Khadse|url=https://www.news18.com/news/politics/stop-using-my-name-to-settle-scores-with-opponents-social-activist-anjali-damania-warns-eknath-khadse-2995634.html|access-date=2021-02-26|website=News18|language=en}}</ref>

For 2019 Maharashtra assembly polls, BJP dropped Khadse's name from candidate's list.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/maharashtra-assembly-election/story/maharashtra-election-dropped-from-bjp-candidates-list-eknath-khadse-vinod-tawde-feature-as-star-campaigners-1608412-2019-10-11|title=Maharashtra polls: Dropped from candidates lists, Eknath Khadse, Vinod Tawde feature as BJP star campaigners|last=Saha|first=Poulomi|date=11 October 2019|website=India Today|access-date=9 November 2019}}</ref> Khadse blamed internal party politics, specifically [[Devendra Fadnavis]] and [[Girish Mahajan]], for denial of a ticket.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://m.economictimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/fadnavis-mahajan-behind-denial-of-poll-ticket-to-me-eknath-khadse/articleshow/73070231.cms|title=Fadnavis, Mahajan behind denial of poll ticket to me: Eknath Khadse|date=2 January 2020|publisher=Economic Times|access-date=15 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/devendra-fadnavis-girish-mahajan-denied-giving-me-ticket-says-eknath-khadse-2157852|title=Devendra Fadnavis, Girish Mahajan Denied Giving Me Ticket: Eknath Khadse|date=2 January 2020|publisher=NDTV|access-date=15 April 2020}}</ref> Instead the party offered ticket to his daughter [[Rohini Khadse-Khevalkar]]. She lost a closely contested election by 1987 votes against Shiv sena's [[Chandrakant Nimba Patil]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/maharashtra-election-result-2019-rohini-khadse-daughter-of-bjp-leader-eknath-khadse-trails-in-muktai-2121795|title=Maharashtra assembly election result : Rohini Khadse daughter of BJP leader Eknath Khdase loses in Muktainagar|last=Srinavasan|first=Chandrashekhar|date=24 October 2019|website=NDTV|access-date=9 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/maharashtra-polls-bjp-drops-eknath-khadse-fields-his-daughter-tawde-also-dropped/articleshow/71434200.cms|title=Maharashtra polls: BJP drops Eknath Khadse, fields his daughter; Vinod Tawde also dropped|last=|date=|publisher=Times of India|access-date=9 November 2019}}</ref>

===Resignation from the BJP and joining NCP===
He quit BJP in October 2020 and joined NCP.<ref name="resign">{{cite web | title="Devendra Fadnavis Destroyed My Life": Eknath Khadse Quits BJP For NCP | website=NDTV.com | date=2020-10-08 | url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/eknath-khadse-bjp-leader-will-join-ncp-at-2-pm-on-friday-says-maharashtra-minister-jayant-patil-2313479 | access-date=2020-10-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Phadke |first1=Manasi |title=Why Eknath Khadse's exit 'shatters BJP image' and deals 'Brand Fadnavis' a blow |url=https://theprint.in/politics/why-eknath-khadses-exit-shatters-bjp-image-and-deals-brand-fadnavis-a-blow/528484/ |access-date=20 March 2021 |work=[[ThePrint]] |date=21 October 2020}}</ref>

==Controversies==
Khadse was involved in controversies even before 2016 corruption charges. He first courted controversy when he advised farmers to pay their electricity bills instead of splurging money on cellphones. TV news channels and print media criticized him for wastage 10,000 lit. of water for the creation of temporary helipad in his tour of drought suffering [[Latur]] that time.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://m.economictimes.com/people/rise-and-fall-of-former-bjp-minister-eknath-khadse/eknath-khadse-the-bjp-leader/slideshow/52600816.cms|title=Eknath Khadse's rise and fall- Penchant for nepotism.|last=|first=|date=22 March 2020|website=Economics Times|language=en|location=New Delhi , India.|access-date=22 March 2016}}</ref>

=== Accusations of nepotism ===
Khadse's tendencies to forward the interests of his kin did not go down well with the rank and file of his party [BJP]. Many members harboured resentment over how he promoted his family members to important posts in Jalgaon. His daughter-in-law [[Raksha Khadase|Raksha Khadse]] is an MP from Jalgaon, while his daughter Rohini Khewalkar was made director of the district cooperative bank and wife Mandakini became the director of Mahanand, the state milk cooperative federation.<ref name=":1" />

=== Corruption charges and resignation ===
Khadse resigned on 3 June 2016 after allegations of impropriety surfaced against him in a land deal in [[Pune]]. Realtor Hemant Gavande leveled charges of [[land grabbing]] against him, alleging that Khadse had misused his position as the State Revenue Minister to illegally execute sales deeds for a {{convert|3|acre|adj=on|spell=in}} [[MIDC|industrial plot]] at [[Bhosari]] in Pune District in the names of his wife and son-in-law. Khadse is accused of buying land at prices much lower than market price through his influence and ministry.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|title=NCP leader Eknath Khadse appears before ED in Pune land deal case|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/india/story/ncp-leader-eknath-khadse-appears-before-ed-in-pune-land-deal-case-1759347-2021-01-15|access-date=2021-02-26|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> Former Aam Aadmi Party politician and activist [[Anjali Damania]] gone on hunger strike and demanded inquiry against Eknath Khadse.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite news|agency=Press Trust of India|date=2016-06-02|title=Ex-AAP leader Anjali Damania begins fast to seek Khadse's ouster|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/ex-aap-leader-anjali-damania-begins-fast-to-seek-khadse-s-ouster-116060200466_1.html|access-date=2021-02-26}}</ref> She broke her hunger strike after then CM Devendra Fadnavis assured her that he will going to do proper investigation against Pune land deal and other corruption accusations of Khadse.<ref name="auto2"/> She filed [[Public interest litigation in India|public interest litigation]] against Khadse. In the retaliation Khadse filed case against her at Muktainagar accusing her maligning his image by submitting false affidavits at Bombay High court and seek her arrest.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-06-14|title=BJP leader Eknath Khadse files FIR against activist Anjali Damania for maligning his image, seeks her arrest - India News , Firstpost|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/bjp-leader-eknath-khadse-files-fir-against-activist-anjali-damania-for-maligning-his-image-seeks-her-arrest-4510121.html|access-date=2021-02-26|website=Firstpost}}</ref> Khadse accused Damania of making false and defamatory statements against him and served defamation notice.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Eknath Khadse slaps Rs 10 crore defamation case on activist Anjali Damania - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/eknath-khadse-slaps-rs-10-crore-defamation-case-on-activist-anjali-damania/articleshow/63852772.cms|access-date=2021-02-26|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=September 8, 2018|first1=Kamlesh Damodar|last1=Sutar|first2=Kiran|last2=Tare|title=Aurangabad HC quashes FIR against social activist Anjali Damania|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/aurangabad-hc-quashes-fir-against-social-activist-anjali-damania-1334999-2018-09-08|access-date=2021-02-26|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Maharashtra Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse resigns after allegations of impropriety in land deal|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/maharashtra-revenue-minister-eknath-khadse-resigns-after-allegations-of-impropriety-in-land-deal-2834009/|website=The Indian Express|accessdate=4 June 2016|date=4 June 2016}}</ref> In 2017, following orders of Bombay High Court, the state [[Anti Corruption Bureau, Maharashtra|anti corruption bureau]] registered case against Khadse, his wife Manda Khadse, and his son-in-law Girish Choudhary.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|title=ED summons Eknath Khadse in land deal case; he says will cooperate|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/india/story/ed-summons-eknath-khadse-in-land-deal-case-he-says-will-cooperate-1753417-2020-12-26|access-date=2021-02-26|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref>

In May 2018, Khadse claimed a clean chit from the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of the Maharashtra Police, saying the ACB wasn't able to prove the allegations.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Banerjee |first1=Shoumojit |title=Khadse claims 'clean chit' in land grab case |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/khadse-claims-clean-chit-in-land-grab-case/article23741376.ece |accessdate=13 June 2020 |work=The Hindu |date=1 May 2018 |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Deshmukh |first1=Chaitraly |title=Eknath Khadse Land-grab Case: Complainant cries foul after ACB gives clean chit to Khadse |url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/eknath-khadse-land-grab-case-complainant-cries-foul-after-acb-gives-clean-chit-to-khadse/19433161 |accessdate=13 June 2020 |work=mid-day |date=18 May 2018 |location=Pune |language=en}}</ref>

On 30 December 2020 [[Enforcement Directorate]] summoned him on this land deal case to interrogate and ask to provide documents.<ref name="auto1"/><ref name="auto"/> Khadse later claimed that the land at Pune was purchased by his wife Manda Khadse and he personally had nothing to do with it.<ref name="auto1"/>

==Personal life==
Khadse was born in [[Kothadi]] village to Ganpat Khadse and Godavari bai Khadse in [[Muktainagar]] ''[[tehsil]]'' of [[Jalgaon district]]. His son, Nikhil, committed suicide on 1 May 2013.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/mumbai/others/Nikhil-Khadse-was-depressed-complained-of-severe-back-pain/articleshow/19849351.cms|title=Nikhil Khadse was depressed, complained of severe back pain|date=3 May 2013|publisher=Mumbai Mirror|accessdate=24 September 2013}}</ref> He hails from the ''Leva Patil'' community.<ref name="From sarpanch to Number 2"/> His daughter-in-law [[Raksha Khadse]] is a member of the [[16th Lok Sabha]] from the [[Raver (Lok Sabha constituency)|Raver constituency]], serving her second term.<ref>{{cite web |title=BJP changes Raver nominee |url=http://m.timesofindia.com/city/mumbai/BJP-changes-Raver-nominee/articleshow/32390589.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=21 March 2014 |accessdate=2 October 2017}}</ref>

===Philanthropy===
Khadse runs two private school in Muktainagar town one of them is [[Nikhil Khadse English medium school]] , named after his son's name.Other one is [[Eknath Khadse talent school]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://schools.org.in/jalgaon/27031103421/swa-nikhil-bhau-khadase-semi-eng-med-sch-muktainagar.html|title=SWA.NIKHIL BHAU KHADASE SEMI ENG MED SCH MUKTAINAGAR - Muktainagar, District Jalgaon (Maharashtra)|website=schools.org.in}}</ref>

== Positions held ==
* BJP Muktainagar taluka vice president (1980-1985)
* Sarpanch of Kothali (1984 - 1987)
* Muktainagar Panchayat samiti's member (1982-1990)
* BJP Jalgaon district president (1991-1995)
* Maharashtra BJP general secretary (1999-2004)
* Member of Maharashtra legislative assembly for Muktainagar (1989 - 2019)
* Minister for Higher and Technical Education (June 1995 to September 1995)
* Minister for Finance and Planning (September 1995 to June 1997)
* Minister for Irrigation and Command Area Development (June 1997 to October 1999)
* Leader of Opposition, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (November 2009 to August 2014)
* Minister of Revenue, Agriculture, State Excise of Maharashtra (October 2014 to June 2016)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-maharashtra-chief-minister-devendra-fadnavis-allots-cabinet-portfolios-keeps-home-housing-health-with-himself-2031425|title=Maharashtra: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis allots cabinet portfolios, keeps Home, Housing, Health with himself|date=2 November 2014|website=DNA India}}</ref>

==Further reading ==
*{{cite book |last1=Neve |first1=Dr Sunil |title=जनसेवेचा मानबिंदू... एकनाथराव खडसे (Jansevecha Manbindu... Eknathrao Khadse) |date=9 September 2020 |publisher=Atharva Publications |location=Muktainagar |edition=1 |url=https://www.amazon.in/dp/B08HSLD1KB/ |accessdate=10 September 2020}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.elections.in/political-leaders/eknath-khadse.html Bio]

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{{succession box|
before=[[Narayan Rane]]|
title=Cabinet Minister for Revenue, Excise and Minority Affairs<br/> [[Government of Maharashtra]]|
years=31 October 2014 – |
after= Incumbent
}}

{{s-bef|before=[[Balasaheb Thorat]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Cabinet Minister for Agriculture<br/>Government of Maharashtra|years=31 October 2014–present}}
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{{s-bef|before=}}
{{s-ttl|title=Maharashtra State Guardian Minister for [[Jalgaon district]]|years=2014–present}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-bef|before=}}
{{s-ttl|title=Maharashtra State Guardian Minister for [[Buldhana district]]|years=2014–present}}
{{s-inc}}

{{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Khadse, Eknath}}
[[Category:1952 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Leaders of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly]]
[[Category:Maharashtra MLAs 1990–1995]]
[[Category:Maharashtra MLAs 1995–1999]]
[[Category:Maharashtra MLAs 1999–2004]]
[[Category:Maharashtra MLAs 2004–2009]]
[[Category:Maharashtra MLAs 2009–2014]]
[[Category:Maharashtra MLAs 2014–2019]]
[[Category:Marathi politicians]]
[[Category:People from Jalgaon district]]
[[Category:State cabinet ministers of Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Nationalist Congress Party politicians from Maharashtra]]

Eknath Khadse - Revision history

->Tayi Arajakate at 13:20, 15 November 2021