After facing allegations of graft for months by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the tripartite Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has now decided to shift to aggressive stand on cases where BJP leaders are seeking protection from arrest.
As BJP leader Kirit Somaiya remained untraceable following denial of anticipatory bail to him and his son, the Economic Offence Wing (EOW) of Mumbai police has issued summons to him to appear for inquiry on April 13. Mr. Somaiya is accused of using the money he collected under crowd funding claiming it to be used to save INS Vikrant in 2012-13.
“It is always easy to level allegations against others. But it isn’t heroic when one does not face the probe when allegations are made against oneself,” said Maharashtra Home Minster Dilip Walse-Patil, in an apparent taunt to Mr. Somaiya. He added that the action against Mr. Somaiya is according to the law and has no political vandetta. The BJP leader enjoys Centre’s security and therefore the State might ask the Central government about his whereabouts, the Minister said.
The BJP leader released a video on Twitter saying he is being targeted by the State government but will continue to expose the corruption of MVA Ministers.
The MVA has also targeted the BJP over revelations being made in court during the hearing on arrest of Advocate Gunartna Sadavarte, who represented striking employees of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) and accused on being involved in attack on the house of Nationalist congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar. Mr. Sadavarte has been sent to police custody till April 13. Mr. Sadavarte reportedly received a Whatsapp call from Nagpur on a day when the attack took place. He also under scanner for collecting certain amount from each of the employee.
NCP spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said, “The investigation must be held against BJP leaders Gopichand Padalkar and Sadabhau Khot as to whether they were recipient of the amount collected by Sadavarte.” Both BJP leaders were leading the strike of the employee in initial months, but later opted out after it became clear that the MSRTC will not be merged with the State government.
