Ajit Pawar played role in scam: Kirit Somaiya

BJP MLA Kirit Somaiya on Saturday claimed that NCP MLA Ramesh Kadam had allegedly siphoned money in the multi-crore Annabhau Sathe Development Corporation (ASDC) scam under the orders and guidance of NCP leader Ajit Pawar.

Mr Kadam has come under the radar of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which attached properties of his worth Rs 20 crore in Mumbai and other cities in the state on Thursday. Mr Somaiya had claimed, “It seems that Ramesh Kadam, under the guidance and orders of Ajit Pawar, distributed crores of rupees in various forms through 59 NCP leaders, most of whom were contesting the state Assembly elections in 2014. They used the money for dalits and backward classes to buy cars and also used the funds for contesting elections.”

The Crime Investigation Department (CID) is investigating the Rs 450-crore scam, which is alleged to have taken place during the Congress-NCP regime.

Mr Somaiya further said that he had given a written complaint to the state election commission stating that 40 of the 59 tainted NCP leaders are sitting MlLAs today, and it was a case of fraud, cheating and violation of election code of conduct.

“The ED officials in Delhi have assured me that investigation will be carried to find the angle of the money laundering by the NCP MLAs, Mr Somaiya said.

State social justice minister Dilip Kamble also raised the issue in the state legislature on Tuesday.

Mr Kamble alleged that 59 NCP leaders were the beneficiaries of money that was laundered using ASDC funds that were meant for dalits and individuals from scheduled castes and the backward Matang community.

Reacting on the issue, NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik termed Mr Somaiya’s allegations a publicity stunt. “Investigation agencies are probing the matter. Let the truth come out. BJP leaders are seeking publicity by making allegations and defaming the NCP,” Mr Malik said.