Amid Enforcement Directorate stepping up its probe into money laundering charges against Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, his kin and associates, NCP patriarch Sharad Pawar met PM Narendra Modi in Parliament to raise the red flag over central agencies targeting the RS member.
In his 20-minute meeting with the PM, Pawar also brought up Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari’s alleged inaction on the Maharashtra government’s proposal on nominations to the state Legislative Council. “What was the reason to take action against Sanjay Raut? What is the evidence they have against him? He writes critical pieces against the government from time to time. But is that reason enough to take action against him,” he asked while talking to reporters after meeting the PM.
NCP chief also asserted that in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP are “linked” and they will “take action against the BJP together”, while rubbishing reports of a rift between the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) partners. The NCP patriarch exuded confidence that the MVA government will complete its tenure and be re-elected. He brushed aside claims that Maharashtra Congress functionaries were complaining about being sidelined.
Pawar ruled out the need for any realignment within the opposition parties, arguing that Congress, despite facing repeated electoral losses, still has the “largest numbers”. He also said he was unwilling to take up the responsibility of being UPA chairman even though some in his party have urged him to take up the role.
