The video recordings released by the Leader of Opposition (LoP), Devendra Fadnavis, in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, in a way, show that the central agencies were involved in carrying out the recordings, NCP Chief Sharad Pawar said on Wednesday.
Slamming the central probe agencies, the veteran politician said: “I have heard that the recordings extend to 125 hours. If that is true, then you need to have the support of powerful agencies to execute this act. Such agencies are only available with the Union government. They have managed to enter a state government office and carry out hidden recordings for hours. I am sure the state government will probe the incident and also the veracity of the tapes.”
Former CM and leader of the opposition in Maharashtra Assembly, Devendra Fadnavis, had presented video recordings before Maharashtra Legislative Assembly deputy speaker Narhari Zirwal, claiming that the tapes contain proof that the leaders of the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government were trying to frame state BJP leaders in false cases.
Sharad Pawar, responding to the allegations, claimed that the BJP was making false accusations as it was not being able to destabilise the MVA government.
“BJP leaders make complaints and then elected representatives get targeted. This is happening in Maharashtra and West Bengal,” Mr Pawar said.
The central agencies raided Anil Deshmukh, his family and associates at least 90 times, he added.
“I have information that Anil Deshmukh, his family, relatives, private secretary, and chartered accountant have been raided at least 90 times. Statements of over 200 people have been recorded in his case. The Enforcement Directorate has conducted 50 raids, the Central Bureau of Investigation 20 raids and the Income Tax department have carried out 20 raids. A total of 90 raids have been conducted in a case pertaining to one person. I have never heard of this before in my experience as an administrator. These raids are symbolic of how the central agencies are being used… Using central agencies in this way is a shameful practice in a parliamentary democracy,” the former Union Minister and Rajya Sabha MP said.
He also said that Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut had written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on how officials of central agencies were extorting money from people.
“I hope the PM takes cognisance of this letter,” Mr Pawar said.
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