``Since the offence has not been proved, we cannot expel him from the party. At the same time, he has become a liability for us, since his alleged involvement in the murder case is a major election issue in the states going to polls in the third phase. Under such circumstances, the party will be fortunate if BJP loses the seat to NCP,'' a senior BJP Minister told The Indian Express.

Since the BJP wanted to spread its tentacles to Western Maharashtra, the strong hold of Sharad Pawar, it had launched a massive search to induct prominent Maratha leaders into the party fold. First to join BJP was Ranjeetsinh Mohite Patil, younger brother of Vijaysinh Mohite Patil, trusted aide of Pawar. Immediatelyafter he joined the party, he was inducted into the Cabinet as a Minister of State for Cooperation, one of the most prestigious and sought-after portfolio. Ranjeetsinh Mohite Patil has considerable following in the Solapur and neighbouring areas.

Ranjeetsinh was followed by Udayan Raje Bhosale, the direct descendent of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. During one of the meetings of Union Home Minister L K Advani and Vijayaraje Scindia, Udayan indicated his desire to join the BJP, since he wanted to settle a political score with his uncle Abhyasinh Raje Bhosale, NCP leader.

Since Udayanraje Bhosale was a prized catch, he was immediately appointed vice-chairman of the State-owned Krishna Valley Development Corporation and granted Cabinet status. When he was elected to the Legislative Assembly in a by-election, he was inducted into the Cabinet as Minister of State for Revenue.

However, when simultaneous polls were declared, Udayanraje Bhosale personally called on Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde to informhim about his decision to join the NCP and contest the Lok Sabha seat from Satara. Though Munde succeeded in restraining him from joining the NCP with the help of Vijayaraje Scindia and Union Minister of State for External Affairs Vasundhararaje Scindia, apparently, the high-profile Deputy Chief Minister is now regretting his move.

A section of the BJP Ministers feel that Udayan should not have been given party nomination in view of a series of complaints against him. In fact, these ministers have strongly criticised the policy of the party on inducting outsiders into the party fold.