Responding to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s “Godfather of corruption”, Nationalist Congress Party (SP) leader and Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) Sharad Pawar recalled the former’s days of externment from Gujarat while giving a talk at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on July 26.
In his address to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) functionaries in Maharashtra to motivate them and set a tone for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly election, on July 21, Mr. Shah called Mr. Pawar “Godfather of corruption” and someone who institutionalised graft. He had also branded Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) as Aurangzeb Fan Club and other two partners, Congress and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray).
Mr. Pawar in his speech said, “A few days back, Mr. Shah said a few things about me with regards to corrupt people in India and its leader. It’s strange that a person who misused the law and was externed from Gujarat by the Supreme Court is India’s Home Minister now.”
According to Mr. Pawar, “The way people are in whose hands are taking this incorrect path, we should ponder and think about it, else I am sure that they will take the country on a wrong path.”
The Union Home Minister was investigated in the alleged Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case of 2005, as he was accused of approving to stage the encounter. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had chargesheeted and arrested him in July 2010. In October 2010, Mr. Shah secured a bail from the Gujarat High Court, CBI challenged the decision in the Supreme Court, who barred him from Gujarat based on the argument that he could use his political influence to tamper with the evidence or threaten witnesses. Mr. Shah remained in externment for around two years from October 2010. Mr. Shah and other accused were cleared of the charge of ordering murdering Sheikh, his wife Kauser Bi and associate Tulsiram Prajapati.
Reacting, on Saturday during an interaction with the media persons, to the Ladki Bahin (Adorable Sister) and Ladka Bhau (Adorable Brother) schemes launched by the Mahayuti government earlier this month, before the State goes to polls, Mr. Pawar asked why the decision to launch these schemes was not taken earlier and they have been announced keeping in mind the upcoming Assembly elections. “There is no money in the State treasury. One or two installments will be given prior to the elections, but who will pay the next installment?”
He also touched upon the ongoing issue related to reservation to the Maratha community in government employment and education and sought an immediate solution to the issue. “My party’s role will be to play a mediator on the issue. The government should call everyone — Manoj Jarange-Patil, Chhagan Bhujbal, Laxman Hake — to find a solution,” Mr. Pawar said while also emphasising the need for dialogue to repair the damage done to the social fabric, as the situation in two to three districts in Marathwada is worrisome.
