The Maharashtra’s Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) has written to the State government seeking sanction to initiate an open enquiry against Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and NCP leader Mr.Sunil Tatkare for their alleged role in an irrigation scam. The letter seeking sanction was sent on Friday to the government.
A senior official told The Hindu that the decision to seek sanction was taken after the agency has found prima facie evidence against the two leaders to probe their alleged role in the scam. This followed the receipt of a complaint by the agency from an activist, Pravin Wategaonkar, who alleged irregularities in awarding tenders in the irrigation projects.
Several people namedIn his complaint the activist named several people including the two top NCP leaders who were in-charge of the water resources department when the contracts were allegedly awarded to a selected group in alleged violation of norms. Meanwhile, senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Vinod Tawde on Saturday demanded the resignations of the two leaders. The NCP described it as a conspiracy aimed to malign them.
“The Chief Minister must give the green light to the anti-corruption bureau (ACB) to conduct investigation. This is not a new issue. Both Mr. Pawar and Mr. Tatkare ought to step down till the ACB probe is complete,” said Mr. Tawde, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, on the sidelines of a programme here.
“Mr. Wategaonkar has been complaining about the same issue for over three years now. The timing of the complaint is questionable as it comes close to the State elections. It is strategically done to malign us,” NCP spokesman Nawab Mailk told The Hindu .
