Pawar to BJP: Conduct probe, expect action against accusers once we come out clean

“If you want it (inquiry) in five days or eight days or 10 days, then do conduct the inquiry. But we expect the state government to take action against those who are making these baseless allegations against us after we come out clean,” Pawar told mediapersons.

The NCP chief also referred to an ongoing series run by The Indian Express on the actions of central probe agencies against Opposition leaders.

“The news item is enlightening. Instead of solving issues concerning the people, a programme is being run where leaders of Opposition parties are being forced to court cases, inquiries and arrests. But we will face this politically,” he said.

On Tuesday, BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar had demanded that Pawar be investigated in a time-bound manner over his alleged interference in the Patra Chawl redevelopment project.

The ED chargesheet had mentioned that Pawar, during his tenure as the Union agriculture minister had held a meeting over the redevelopment of Patra chawl. “That during the year 2006-07, Sanjay Raut has attended meetings alongwith MHADA officers and others for redevelopment of Patra Chawl chaired by the then Union agriculture minister and another meeting chaired by former chief minister,” it said.

Pawar, in the press conference, was joined by former housing minister and NCP leader Jitendra Awhad, who presented the minutes of the said meeting held on August 14, 2006. Former chief secretary Swadhin Kshatriya was the then housing secretary.

“There is not a single project in Maharashtra for which Pawar has not held a meeting. Pawar has attended over 20,000 meetings in his political career. Holding an official meeting for which minutes were drawn and concerned government officials were present is being used to defame Pawar and the NCP, ” said Awhad.

He added that the party is always ready for any inquiry by any agency. “But when all these allegations will turn out baseless, what action will be taken against those who are making these allegations?” he too asked.

Pawar, meanwhile, said that the current government has stopped the financial aid of Rs 2,500 to the children who have lost one or both parents during Covid-19.

“Previous finance minister Ajit Pawar had announced this but the current government stopped the scheme. We expect that it will be restarted,” he said. Around 20,000 children in Maharashtra have lost either of their parents during the pandemic while 800 have lost both parents.