Bhujbal meets Sharad Pawar

Beleaguered NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal who is under the ACB scanner for alleged misuse of power during his stint as PWD minister in the erstwhile Congress-NCP government, today met party chief Sharad Pawar here.

Bhujbal told PTI that he had explained to Pawar how the ongoing raids on his residential and office premises in different parts of the state were "unfair and unjust".

"The FIRs have been filed on wrong allegations. At least I should have been given a chance to explain my side. The investigating agencies should have probed whether there was substance in the allegations before going ahead with filing of FIRs."

Bhujbal said he gave details of the ongoing action against him and told his party chief how he was being unfairly targeted.

"Pawar Saheb took details of all cases on which FIRs have been filed and discussed the issue with me," he added.

Meanwhile State Congress chief and former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan when asked about the Bhujbal case said, "the matter is sub judice and investigations are under process and I can't comment more."

To a question on Bhujbal's defence that all decisions for which he is being held guilty were taken collectively by then cabinet sub committee on infrastructure of which Chief Minister is the head, Chavan said, "I knew this question would come up but a court-monitored probe is on and hence I can't comment."

Chavan also said, "whatever is happening is as per law, and I am sure Bhujbal will present his defence."

To a question on the issue of collective responsibility, Prithviraj Chavan did not offer any comments.

The Enforcement Directorate yesterday registered two Economic Case Information Reports (ECIR) against Bhujbal and others under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Earlier, ACB searched seven properties in Mumbai, two in Thane, five in Nashik and two in Pune to ascertain the assets owned by Bhujbal, his son, MLA Pankaj Bhujbal and nephew Samir.