Dawood Ibrahim at centre stage in Maharashtra Assembly for third week in a row

Days after BJP MLA Nitesh Rane had claimed in the Legislative Assembly last week that Sena (UBT) leader from Nasik, Sudhakar Badgujar, was seen dancing at a party with Dawood Ibrahim’s aide Salim Kutta, NCP’s Eknath Khadase furnished a photo showing Mahajan at the wedding of Dawood’s relative.

Khadse demanded to know whether the SIT formed by Fadnavis to probe Sena (UBT) leader’s involvement with Salim Kutta, will also probe Mahajan. “The minister must be sacked as he was seen with anti-national elements. He must be investigated,” said Khadse.

Amid row, Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Parab pointed out that the state government was quick to arrest Nawab Malik over allegations of links with Dawood Ibrahim. “Why do we have different rules for those in ruling and for those in Opposition?” Asked Parab.

LoP in Legislative Council Ambadas Danve again presented the issue amid protests from the ruling side. Ruling BJP MLC Pravin Darekar questioned as to how allegations could be made against the minister without giving him notice.

As commotion continued, Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe adjourned the House for 10 minutes. After the House regrouped, Shambhuraj Desai, State Excise Minister, said the photos were misrepresented as it was merely a wedding reception. “The SIT has been formed to bring out the truth behind every incident and anyone who raises suspicion will be called for inquiry. However, no one should mention any name without evidence,” said Desai.

Later, Fadnavis told the council that families of the bride and groom had no link whatsoever with Dawood Ibrahim. “The inquiry found no relationship between Dawood and the said family,” Fadnavis said in the council.

Speaking with reporters, former CM and Sena (UBT) president, Uddhav Thackeray reminded BJP again about the relationship between NCP leader Praful Patel with another Dawood aide Iqbal Mirchi. “Why was Patel’s property seized by ED? Why did the PM target him saying that some people do business with Mirchi? Are there different rules for different leaders?” Thackeray said.

This was the third time in three weeks that Dawood was the centre of discussion in the winter session.
In the first week, NCP MLA Nawab Malik was seen sitting on the ruling side, after having spent 19 months behind bars over allegations of transactions with Dawood aides. When the issue was raised by the Opposition, deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis wrote to Dy CM and NCP leader Ajit Pawar asking him to not allow Malik to sit with the ruling side.

In the second week, BJP MLA Nitesh Rane had raised the issue of Sena (UBT) leader Sudhakar Badgujar’s photo with Dawood aide Salim Kutta.