Honey trap row: BJP Minister questions Sharad Pawar and Eknath Khadse’s connection with the accused

The controversy surrounding honey trap allegations intensified, as BJP State Cabinet Minister Girish Mahajan, criticised for his photo with the accused, Praful Lodha, released a series of photos of the same suspect with several other top leaders, including NCP-SP leader Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar-led NCP leader Eknath Khadse. 

“People are associating me with Mr. Lodha over the honeytrap case based on one photo, when there is no connection; Their own party leaders, NCP-SP leaders Mr. Pawar, Supriya Sule, and leader Jayant Patil, and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and former Chief Minister, Uddhav Thackeray, are seen with Mr. Lodha. What is their connection with him?” Mr. Mahajan asked. 

Following Mr. Khadse’s demand for an SIT investigation into Mr. Lodha’s connection with Mr. Mahajan, Mr. Mahajan asked about the relationship of leaders with Mr. Lodha, releasing the photos on Thursday (July 24, 2025). Taking to the social media platform, Facebook, he highlighted that when the Opposition was in power, “they attempted to implicate” him in false crimes. “Was this the reason to hold the hand of Praful Lodha?” he asked. 

Reflecting on the photo of Mr. Khadse, he stated, “What is this relationship called? Your conspiracy is being exposed. Is this the same Praful Lodha whom you called a drunkard, accused of murdering your own son? In all the allegations between 2019 and 2022, I was proven innocent.”

Mr. Khadse and Mr. Mahajan, both from North Maharashtra, have a history of being bitter political rivals. Responding to the post, Mr. Khadse clarified that Mr. Lodha was there to hand over the evidence, saying, “he was welcoming me on the road with flowers and gave me a CD of your misdeeds to be exposed later.” Mr. Khadse challenged him to have a direct CBI inquiry.