Silence from NCP on Raut’s ED custody raises eyebrows

Interestingly, when Sharad Pawar met Narendra Modi at the Prime Minister’s residence in New Delhi in April, one of the things that the NCP president brought up was the ED action against Raut.

After the meeting, Pawar told reporters he spoke to the PM about the “injustice” meted out to Raut. The day before, the ED attached assets worth more than Rs 115 crore linked to three persons in Mumbai, including Raut’s wife, in a money laundering investigation. The Sena MP sounded grateful, telling reporters, “It is not a hidden fact that I am Sharad Pawar’s man. While I have been in the Shiv Sena, my relations with Pawar are close which is why we could form this government. The BJP is upset because of this.”

Ajit Pawar himself is under ED scanner in connection with the agency’s investigation into the alleged Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank scam. The Directorate has already attached the assets of the Jarandeshwar Cooperative Sugar Factory which is run by one of his relatives. The Income-Tax department raided Pawar’s relatives in October 2021 in connection with the alleged scam.

But, almost four months down the line, all the party leaders including NCP state president Jayant Patil are being conspicuous by maintaining a studied silence on the ED’s arrest of Raut. According to political observers, this signals the changing dynamics in the Opposition camp in Maharashtra.

From Congress, party state general secretary, Sachin Sawant said the arrest depicts a sorry picture of democracy. “The BJP wants to silence all opposition parties in the country,” he said.

NCP’s silence on Raut’s arrest is more surprising to many, given the personal rapport he shares with Pawar and his family. Last year, Sule and Raut were seen dancing at his daughter’s wedding. The video went viral.

According to political observers, it also shows how the links between the MVA parties have crumbled. While the Shiv Sena is battling for survival, top Congress leaders in the state have gone silent and the grand old party’s second-rung leaders are looking to stay politically relevant.

On Sunday night, former minister Aslam Sheikh met Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Sources said the meeting was about a stay the present administration has issued on projects Sheikh had approved when in power. The Congress leader was the minister of textiles, fisheries and ports development.

Meanwhile, both the rebel Shiv Sena camp led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the BJP mocked Raut after his arrest with Shinde taunting that the arrest will stop 8 am loudspeakers, referring to early morning press conferences of Raut. He said that action against him (Raut) will be taken based on the evidence.

“I would like to believe that when a Central agency takes any action, it is backed by some evidence in its possession. The matter will be contested in court and the court will decide it. I cannot comment more on this matter,” said Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis.

While exercising caution not to elaborate on the matter which has created a hue and cry across political spectrum including in Parliament, Fadnavis said, “I would like to believe that when a Central agency takes any action, it is backed by some evidence in its possession.”

“In any case, the matter will be contested in the court and it will decide. I cannot comment more on this matter,” he said.

However, another senior leader, Sudhir Mungantiwar said, “You pay the price for your act.”

(With inputs from Shubhangi Khapre)