Allegations against Shinde an election stunt: Ali Anwar

BJP leader R K Singh accused Shinde of shielding a businessman associated with Dawood Ibrahim

Commenting on the allegations made against Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde by former home secretary turned Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader R K Singh, of shielding a businessman associated with Dawood Ibrahim, Janata Dal United (JD-U) leader Ali Anwar on Tuesday said that it was an election stunt and Singh should provide evidence to prove it.

"Firstly he has joined the BJP and elections are around the corner, so it is not surprising that he said such a thing. Secondly, he should have opposed immediately when the incident took place. Why did he stay quite at that time?" asked Anwar

"It was a big thing. What intentions did he have in mind when he hid it at that time and why didn't he say it then? Also, if he is so sure about it he should name the person and provide evidence to support it.

"Did he suddenly realize that it was wrong after he joined the BJP?" he asked.

On Monday Singh had accused Shinde of lying and shielding a businessman who is associated with Dawood Ibrahim.

"Shinde prevented Delhi Police from interrogating a businessman in the Indian Premier League match fixing case. Agencies suspect this businessman has links with underworld don Dawood," said Singh, according to reports.

Reiterating that underworld don Dawood Ibrahim is hiding in Pakistan, Shinde on Friday had said that India is in joint cooperation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to nab Dawood.

"Last year, when I had visited the U.S. for inland security discussion, I had a meeting with the Attorney General, who looks after the FBI," Shinde said at a press conference.

"I had a chat with him and it was decided that we will share the information, which we have, with each other. We will make a joint effort to nab him," he added.

Asked about the whereabouts of Dawood, Shinde said, "At the moment, as per our intel, he is in Pakistan."

Indian intelligence agencies have claimed that the gangster is hiding in Pakistan. However, Pakistan denies the allegations.