Terming the arrest of former NCP MP Sameer Bhujbal as ‘blatant misuse of power’ by the government against opposition members, NCP chief Sharad Pawar tried to defend his party member.
Terming the arrest of former NCP MP Sameer Bhujbal as ‘blatant misuse of power’ by the government against opposition members, NCP chief Sharad Pawar tried to defend his party member. Mr Pawar also expressed surprise over repeated raids by various agencies on the offices of Bhujbal and said he had not seen such action being taken in his political career.
“I have never seen blatant misuse of power by the government against the Opposition party members. I have seen Congress and NCP government and also keenly observed Shiv Sena and BJP government in 1995.
But I have not such blatant misuse of power in a democracy,” Mr Pawar said, while addressing a press conference a day after the arrest of Sameer Bhujbal.
Sameer, nephew of former NCP minister Chhagan Bhujbal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on Monday evening for his alleged connection with a money laundering case.
Defending Chhagan Bhujbal against the corruption allegations, the NCP leader recalled that construction of Maharashtra Sadan was not his decision alone. “The cabinet sub-committee of ministers had taken the decision of the construction of Maharashtra Sadan. It was not taken by Chhagan Bhujbal alone. How can an agency inquire about a decision taken by the ministers ” he asked.
Mr Pawar also expressed surprise over repeated raids on the Bhujbal family’s offices and homes. “It is unprecedented that three Central agencies investigating one allegation and repeatedly raiding one family’s offices. Bhujbal was given a clean cheat by the anti-corruption bureau but again a new committee was appointed to probe the matter. It means that they want to continue the investigations till they get desired results,” Mr Pawar said.
He did not even spare BJP MP Kirit Somaiya who has been pursuing the matter against Bhujbal. Without naming Mr Somaiya, Mr Pawar asked how come the action was prompted after one party MP made some statements.
The NCP chief alleged that NCP and Bhujbal is being targeted by the government. But said that he will cooperate with the agencies to probe the matter further. “If anybody wants to misuse power against us, we are ready for it. There is nothing to worry about. They can accuse as many people of indulging in corruption as they want to. Tomorrow they may take my name as well,” Mr Pawar said.
The former union minister even advised Sameert Bhujbal to cooperate with the investigation agencies and provide them with documents required.
Meanwhile, state revenue minister Eknath Khadse denied the allegations made by Mr Pawar about political vendetta and said the ED has sufficient evidence to carry out the arrest. “It was not a political vendetta. We have not prompted any action against Bhujbal. The enforcement directorate has sufficient evidence to arrest him. Further proceedings will take place in the court,” Mr Khadse said.
Former minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who is in the US said his family has nothing to do with any irregularity in connection with the construction of Maharashtra Sadan. “I have come to know about the raids. It is not a straight matter as it looks. Construction of Maharashtra Sadan was approved by then Cabinet sub-committee of ministers. My family has no connection with it. But BJP MP Somiaya made it an issue and filed complaints. There was no irregularity in Maharashtra Sadan (sic),” he said in a recorded message released from the US.
