With the noose tightening around him after a spate of FIRs and searches by Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials, former Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal today said the Devendra Fadnavis-led government is "targeting" him and his family.
"I don't remember any government in Maharashtra's history targeting anyone the way I am being targeted (by the present government)," Bhujbal said here.
"Allegations are being levelled against us (family) for things done in a legal manner, by committees chaired by the (then) chief minister," he told a television news channel.
"The court asked you (the Maharashtra state government) to probe (the allegations of corruption). It did not ask you to file FIRs. You can see clearly that decisions (under scanner) are taken by the cabinet sub-committee. If I am a criminal, then those who signed the papers, those who attended the committee meetings are all criminals," Bhujbal said.
When asked if he viewed the spate of FIRs as part of a 'conspiracy' to gag him, Bhujbal said, "Of course. They want to silence me. Don't try to bury me with my family. This has never happened in Maharashtra politics".
Replying about allegations that he falsely declared his educational qualification on the internet and his web site, Bhujbal said, "It is true that I could not complete the VJTI diploma".
Meanwhile, reiterating corruption allegations against Bhujbal, BJP MP Kirit Somaiya said there is ample evidence against Bhujbal to send him to jail.
