Wadhawans have close ties with Pawar, NCP leaders: Somaiya

Senior BJP leader Kirit Somaiya on Friday alleged that the Wadhawan family, whose members were granted permission to travel to Mahabaleshwar despite the lockdown, has close ties with NCP chief Sharad Pawar and other leaders of the party.

DHFL promoters Kapil and Dheeraj Wadhawan, accused in Yes Bank and DHFL fraud cases, were given permission to travel from Khandala to Mahabaleshwar along with others even when both Pune and Satara districts are sealed amid the ongoing lockdown for containing coronavirus.

Somaiya said there has to be "some political influence" behind IPS officer Amitabh Gupta's letter exempting the Wadhawans from the lockdown norms citing a family emergency.

He also demanded state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh's resignation over the issue.

However, the NCP trashed Somaiya's charges against the party leaders and derided him for being known for making "irresponsible" statements.

Talking to PTI, Somaiya said, "The closeness of Sharad Pawar and NCP leaders with Wadhawans is well-known. Anil Deshmukh should own up the responsibility and quit."