Years after chief minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered an inquiry against two senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders Ajit Pawar and Sunil Tatkare in the irrigation scam, the Enforcement Directorate begun to probe. This may bring former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar’s role under the scanner.
The central investigation agency sought info and files of the scam from the anti-corruption bureau (ACB). ACB has filed one charge sheet and two FIRs in two of the irrigation projects under scrutiny. However, NCP leaders accused in the scam have not been prosecuted in these cases yet.
ED has also asked information on complaints and documents of the Pune-based firm Raj Group. The firm was benefitted from irrigation contracts during Pawar’s tenancy.
NCP called the development as mischievous and an attempt to distract attention from the continuing farmers’ agitation by the government.
“The ED has not sent any notice to Pawar. The BJP-government should stop using investigative agencies to spread such reports and divert attention from real issues such as the farmers’ agitation,’’ said NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik.
