Hitting out at the BJP-led saffron alliance Government in Maharashtra for the vindictive manner in which it had launched investigations into the alleged irregularities and corruption allegedly indulged in by his party leaders, a sarcastic NCP chief Sharad Pawar said here on Thursday that he was waiting to see as to when it would throw him and his other party leaders behind the bars.
Breaking his silence over the ongoing investigations against senior leader and former PWD Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, Pawar expressed displeasure over the manner in which the saffron alliance Government was targeting his party leaders.When his attention was drawn to the speculation of the State political circles about the possible arrest of Bhujbal, Pawar sarcastically said: “I am also waiting as to when this Government would put me and other party leaders behind the bars”.
Addressing the media after PWD scam-tainted NCP leader Bhujbal called on him and briefed him about the ongoing ACB investigations, Pawar came out in support of Bhujbal. "Bhujbal is our colleague. We will stand by him without interfering in the ongoing investigations, The NCP will extend all the help that Bhujbal needs,” he said.
Pawar said that it would be incorrect to hold Bhujbal responsible for all the decisions taken by his Ministry, “All decisions for which Bhujbal is being held accountable were taken by a Cabinet sub-committee. The Cabinet sub-committee’s decisions are considered as the decisions taken by the Cabinet and the State Government”
Taking strong exception to the manner in which the ACB was “leaking” to the media details of investigations into the allegations against Bhujbal, Pawar said: “The manner in which the details of the investigations are being leaked to the media is surprising. It is objectionable and not a sign of good investigation. The Chief Minister should look into this".
Through two tweets put out on his handle PawarSpeaks, Pawar criticised the ACB for its avoidable revelations to the media and also accused the investigating agency of providing wrong information to the media. “I have worked with the Home Ministry. The department has to limit revealing details of any case to the media… ACB officials are providing wrong information to the media merely for publicity,” the NCP president tweeted.Meanwhile, Maharadhtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reiterated that his Government was not being “vindictive” in its approach against the NCP leaders.