Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Mahayuti Leaders Skip Khadse’s 75th Birthday Event, Sparking Buzz
Eknath Khadse held a celebration for his 75th birthday in Kothali.
His family invited politicians from many different parties.
Leaders from the BJP and the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde did not attend the main event.
This made people wonder whether political disagreements were involved.
Girish Mahajan said he had another engagement.
Pankaja Munde sent her good wishes, and some others called Khadse.
Sharad Pawar attended and spoke about Khadse’s work for the BJP.
Rakshatai Khadse said the gathering was meant to be non-political and that the family was happy for everyone who came or sent greetings.
BJP and Shiv Sena leaders from the Mahayuti alliance did not attend Eknath Khadse’s 75th birthday event in Kothali.
The Khadse family said it invited leaders from all political parties without political considerations.
Sharad Pawar attended and praised Eknath Khadse’s contribution to expanding the BJP’s grassroots presence.
Girish Mahajan cited a prior engagement, while Pankaja Munde sent birthday wishes instead of attending.
Rakshatai Khadse said several leaders who missed the event conveyed their greetings by phone.
- Who
- Former minister and senior district leader Eknath Khadse, his family, Sharad Pawar, and leaders from the BJP, Shiv Sena, and other parties.
- What
- A gratitude and felicitation ceremony marking Eknath Khadse’s 75th birthday was held, but several Mahayuti leaders did not attend.
- When
- The main event was held on Sunday; some leaders felicitated Khadse or sent wishes on Saturday or by phone.
- Where
- Kothali, in the Jalgaon area of Maharashtra.
- Why
- The event was organised to celebrate Khadse’s 75th birthday and allow people to offer him blessings; the absence of Mahayuti leaders prompted political speculation.
Political Significance
Non-Partisan Explanation
Absence of Mahayuti Leaders
Political Significance
The absence of BJP and Shiv Sena leaders, including people Khadse had mentored, led to speculation that political pressure or differences influenced their decision.
Non-Partisan Explanation
The Khadse family said it was pleased with those who attended, while noting that several leaders sent their best wishes by phone or message.
Meaning of Sharad Pawar’s Speech
Political Significance
Pawar’s praise of Khadse, Gopinath Munde, and Pramod Mahajan was viewed as a subtle response to leaders who skipped the event.
Non-Partisan Explanation
Pawar’s remarks were presented as recognition of Khadse’s contribution to expanding the BJP’s grassroots presence, without establishing a direct explanation for other leaders’ absence.
Purpose of the Gathering
Political Significance
The attendance pattern fueled questions about Khadse’s current political relations within the Mahayuti alliance.
Non-Partisan Explanation
Rakshatai Khadse described the celebration as a family-organised, non-partisan gathering held to mark a parent’s 75th birthday and seek blessings at Kothali.
- Event
- Eknath Khadse Gratitude and Felicitation ceremony
- Occasion
- Eknath Khadse’s 75th birthday, described as Amrut Mahotsav
- Main absentees
- Leaders from the BJP and the Shiv Sena’s Shinde faction
- Attendee
- NCP president Sharad Pawar attended the event
- Stated reason for one absence
- Girish Mahajan said he could not attend because of a prior engagement
- Other greetings
- Pankaja Munde sent a message, while several others conveyed wishes by phone
- Family position
- Rakshatai Khadse said invitations were extended without political considerations and called the event non-partisan