"This is vendetta politics by BJP. There was no need to arrest him as he was cooperating with ED," NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik told PTI.
"ED could have filed the charge sheet even without the arrest. This shows the mindset of the BJP regime... NCP stands firmly behind Bhujbal," he said.
Senior NCP leaders rushed to the official residence of Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde as news of Bhujbal's arrest broke.
AAP national spokesperson Preeti Sharma Menon said, on 26 August 2013 the Aam Aadmi Party had filed complaints with detailed proof that Bhujbal, in his tenure as PWD Minister, awarded contracts to builders and then received kickbacks.
"We gave detailed proof of every transaction in nine different cases, where kickbacks were received and money was laundered. None of the state agencies acted on our complaint, so we forced to file a PIL in the Bombay High Court. On 18 December 2014 Chief Justice Mohit Shah appointed an SIT comprising the Anti Corruption Bureau and Enforcement Directorate.
"The AAP is relieved that truth has prevailed and will continue to fight and expose corruption by the Congress, BJP, and their cronies," the AAP spokesperson said.
BJP MP Kirit Somaiya said, "At last Chhagan Bhujbal has been arrested! Now it is the turn of irrigation scam's Ajit Pawar and Sunil Tatkare to follow Bhujbal."
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