Nationalist Congress Party founder and leader of NCP’s SP group, Sharad Pawar said that the only reason why some senior leaders like Ajit Pawar and Praful Patel left the party was the pressure from central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
In a grim prediction and warning of sorts, the senior NCP leader, during a campaign trail at Baramati told CNN News18 that the leaders may have to suffer after the elections. He also blamed the Election Commission for handing over the party he had formed to Ajit Pawar, calling it a ‘wrong decision’.
“Last election we contested Vidhan Sabha and Lok Sabha in Maharashtra and as usual, voters overwhelmingly supported the NCP”, Pawar said.
He added, “Symbol and party decisions have been taken by the Election Commission. It is a wrong decision. Since it is subjudice, that is why I am not saying so much. But that decision is also manipulated by the Election Commission.”
“Some of our colleagues took the decision to join the BJP. Some of them met me and explained the circumstances why they were taking the decision. There are certain agencies like ED and CBI. Certain agencies were used against them with the intention to make them leave our party. Some of our senior leaders were telling us there is no choice.” Sharad Pawar added.
“I was not in favour of it. Automatically, they have taken a decision to leave us, desert us. Certain number of MLAs, MPs formed a different group with the association of BJP,” he said, adding, “The question is about whether my nephew or someone who was close to me like Praful Patel or others, practically there was worry among them about certain actions (which will be taken by the central agencies).”
Sharad Pawar’s Makes Big Claim, ‘Ajit Pawar, Praful Patel Left Because of ED, CBI’
Emphasising that Ajit Pawar and Praful Patel left because of the pressure of the agencies, Sharad Pawar said, “You can see what is the case of Mr Praful Patel. He lives in Mumbai in the Worli area and has a nice house. ED has taken possession of a substantial part of his house and has established its office there. Ultimately some of them took the conscious decision to dissociate from us and accept PM Modi and his leadership. This is because agencies were used against them,” he said.
He predicted that those who left him might have to suffer due to agencies’ action after the elections. “I cannot say hurt, but it was a wrong decision taken by some of my family members,” he added.
Daughter’s Supporters Being Threatened, Alleges Sharad Pawar
The NCP (SP) supremo also levelled serious allegations against the Maharashtra government and the Centre claiming that those supporting his daughter and NCP leader Supriya Sule have been receiving threats and notices.
During a poll campaign at Baramati, the senior NCP leader told CNN News18, “Lot of people, businessmen, traders, are getting messages from certain sections of the government and some are being threatened for working with Supriya Sule.”
He also said that his nephew and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has resorted to openly threatening the electorate, which was not just a gross violation of the Model Code of Conduct, but also a ‘misuse of authority’.
“Yesterday, I met some people. Some stone-crushers who were working with Supriya Sule, they have been caught by some officers. They have been told to stop or else action will be taken against them. They have some notices sent to them. And their businesses were stopped,” he told CNN News18.
When asked about the recent statements of Ajit Pawar in his campaigning speeches, where he was asking people to vote for his party if they wanted funds, Sharad Pawar said, “This is a clear-cut misuse of the authority, which we have never seen. Those who are making these types of statements are a part of the government. And that’s why, the voters are quite worried.” He further said that when voters go to vote, they will think properly and will teach a lesson to those who ‘threaten’.
While calling it a clear violation of the code of conduct, he said. “If someone says, if you don’t do this, you won’t get funds. What is the meaning of that?” The NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar group) has already filed a complaint with the Election Commission about it.”
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