Sharad Pawar has no relation with MSCB: Ajit Pawar on case against NCP chief

The ED had registered a case of alleged money laundering in connection with irregularities in the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank (MSCB) against Sharad Pawar, Ajit and several others including Anandrao Adsul (Shiv Sena), Jayant Patil (PWP), Diliprao Deshmukh and Madan Patil (Congress), Ishwarlal Jain and Shivajirao Nalawade (NCP).

NCP leader Ajit Pawar became emotional while addressing the media in Mumbai. (Express Photo by Pradip Das)

“I don’t want to get into whether I was right or wrong about submitting my resignation. I want to apologize to my colleagues for doing what I did without informing them,” he said. “If the total deposits of MSCB bank are Rs 11000 crore, then how can they (ED) say that the scam was of Rs 25000 crore? The loans that have been issued by the MSCB Bank are mostly recovered,” he added.

Commenting on Ajit’s resignation, Sharad had on Friday said, “I have not been able to directly speak to him (Ajit) after I got to know about his decision. He did not consult me… I feel he could not tolerate that I was booked.”

Earlier in the day, Ajit met Sharad Pawar at the latter’s residence. The NCP chief’s daughter Supriya Sule was also present at the meeting, reported news agency PTI.

After the meeting, Sharad told reporters, “There is nothing to worry. He (Ajit Pawar) himself will give you (media) further details.”

A five-time MLA from Baramati, Ajit didn’t cite any reason for his resignation. The news of his resignation sent the NCP into a tizzy as the party had been looking at a possible revival after the ED’s notice to Pawar.

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