‘Chavan prosecution is revenge politics’

Claim Congress leaders with the governor having given the nod to prosecute the ex-CM

Opposition Congress party termed the BJP-led government’s permission to prosecute Congress leader Ashok Chavan in connection with Adarsh scam as political vendetta.

This is the second action that the state government has taken in the past few days against Opposition leaders. NCP leader Sameer Bhujbal was arrested in connection with a money laundering case two days ago. However, BJP leaders have said that these actions are being taken as per the legal process.

“We condemn the decision taken by the governor. Permission for prosecution was denied earlier in the same case then how did the governor approve it now The BJP is targeting Congress, as they have failed on all fronts. The political action by the BJP is aimed at diverting the public’s attention away from the real issues,” leader of opposition in the Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said after the governor gave the green signal to prosecute Mr Chavan in connection with the Adarsh scam.

Earlier, CBI had stated that Mr Chavan suggested inclusion of civilian members in Adarsh Housing Society, meant for war veterans and widows of defence personnel, to secure flats for his relatives in the plush complex situated at Colaba in south Mumbai. In the Bhujbal case, Chhagan Bhujbal’s nephew Sameer has been arrested and sent to police custody for money laundering under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2013.

Leader of Opposition in the council and NCP MLC Dhanajay Munde also opposed the move by the governor. “This is revenge politics. The previous governor had refused the sanction but on insistence of the CBI, the current governor approved it. The BJP-led government wants to put an end to the opposition parties,” said Mr Munde.