Ajit Pawar, Tatkare's fate to be sealed in 2 months: Somaiya

BJP MP Kirit Somaiya today claimed that the fate of NCP leaders Ajit Pawar and Sunil Tatkare in the irrigation scam would be sealed in the next two to three months.
He also said the inquiry against former state PWD Minister Chhagan Bhujbal in the Maharashtra Sadan scam would be completed within a fortnight.
"Both Pawar and Tatkare were under an illusion that they could evade the ACB inquiry," Somaiya told reporters.
"They chose to ignore ACB summons several times. But, they had to present themselves after a stern show-cause notice," he charged.
The inquiry would be completed in eight to twelve weeks, while Bhujbal's case would be decided in two weeks, he said.

Somaiya alleged that between 2009 and 2012, cash worth Rs 800 crore was withdrawn from Union Bank of India. "Out of Rs 800 crore, Rs 160 crore were transferred to more than 300 bogus/benami companies of Tatkare and Ajit Pawar," he alleged.

Somaiya said he had written to Union Finance Secretary, RBI Governor and CMD of Union Bank of India Arun Tiwari stating that the investigating agencies have found several non-transparent transactions, including scandalous appointment, cost escalation, money laundering by FA constructions and the "bogus" companies owned by Pawar and Tatkare.
The BJP leader demanded action by RBI, Union Bank, Income Tax and Enforcement Directorate.

Reacting to Somaiya's allegations, NCP spokesman Nawab Malik said, "This has been BJP's false propaganda against my party leaders for the last four years. If you have concrete proof, why don't you go to the authorities instead of stunts of speaking in front of the media. We are not scared since we have done no wrong and are ready to face any probe."
Malik alleged that BJP was trying to divert attention from the government's failures in the last one year.
Pawar and Tatkare are under scanner for allegedly awarding tenders to contractors by flouting norms which resulted in massive cost escalation for several irrigation projects during the Congress-led Democratic Front government.