NCP worried over fate of probes against its leaders

Even as Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar is busy visiting drought-hit districts of Maharashtra to win back public confidence, the party is worried over the outcome of ongoing investigations initiated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government against former NCP ministers.

NCP insiders admit that it is finding it difficult to publicly defend party leaders such as Chhagan Bhujbal, Ajit Pawar and Sunil Tatkare, facing various corruption cases. Further, they also indicate that the party has to strive to keep its flock together. However, NCP leaders and workers hope Pawar would a way out of the current crisis.

NCP spokesman Nawab Malik told Business Standard: “We will face all inquiries and cooperate with investigating agencies.”

However, the ruling BJP and Shiv Sena are leaving no opportunity to target NCP on scams. State Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse and Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar were at the forefront to further embarrass NCP, saying the party had resorted to Jail Bharo agitation on drought issue to divert public attention from the investigations. Both the leaders have clarified that there was no political vendetta.

The state Anti-Corruption Bureau is holding probe against Pawar's nephew and former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and former water resources minister Sunil Tatkare for their alleged involvement in the multi-crore irrigation scam in the underdeveloped Vidarbha region and also in connection with the cost overruns in the development of Balganga dam in the Raigad district. The Enforcement Directorate might soon initiate inquiry against Ajit Pawar and Tatkare for money laundering.

Ajit Pawar and Tatkare refused to appear before ACB, citing prior engagements due to the Ganesh festival.

Former public works minister and OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal is currently being probed by the state ACB and ED in connection with the scam in the construction of Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi.

ACB has already lodged a first information report against Bhujbal and five others as per the Bombay high court order hearing petition filed by Aam Aadmi Party.

The ACB order is underway also after BJP MP Kirit Somaiya complained alleging that Bhujbal, in his capacity as the PWD minister, had awarded the contract for rebuilding the Maharashtra Sadan at a cost of around Rs 100 crore to a favoured contractor.

The high court here had also ordered the the setting up of a special investigation team, comprising officials from the ACB and ED to conduct an open inquiry into the matter.

ACB had also filed another FIR against Bhujbal in connection with the alleged irregularities in allotment of a prime plot at Kalina in Mumbai to a developer.

Moreover, ED has also registered Economic Case Information Reports under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act against Bhujbal in connection with the Maharashtra Sadan scam, allotment of plot at Kalina to a developer and also with regard to a housing project in Navi Mumbai.

Additionally, the NCP is also worried over state government's move to pursue ACB probe into loans and disbursements made by the state apex cooperative bank, with majority of NCP leaders on its board of directors during the 15-year Congress-NCP government.