The Nationalist Congress Party’s (NCP) offer of unconditional outside support to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has triggered allegations that the party’s move is an attempt to fend off corruption cases.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) had recently asked for permission for an open inquiry against former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and senior leader Sunil Tatkare in connection with the multi-crore irrigation scam. NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal also faces charges of irregularities in connection with the construction of Maharashtra Sadan in Delhi during his tenure as Public Works Minister.
“The file on the ACB inquiry never came to me which means it is still pending before the government or the Governor,” said the former Chief Minister, Prithviraj Chavan, who had openly spoken of a deal between the BJP and NCP in the run-up to the polls.
He now says his views are vindicated. “The deal between the NCP and BJP was clear when the former broke the alliance with us just minutes after the Shiv Sena and BJP parted ways. It was clear that some political compulsion led them to withdraw from the government and pave the way for Governor’s rule. They handed over control of the State to the BJP,” he told The Hindu .
Even before the results were declared, the NCP had declared that it would play a decisive role in government formation. However, NCP leader Praful Patel has denied that its offer of support to the BJP had any connection with the charges against his party. “There is no unholy nexus or quid pro quo,” he said.
