The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Maharashtra launched a blistering attack on the BJP led Central government after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday questioned Maharashtra Minority Affairs Minister Nawab Malik in a money-laundering probe linked to the activities of the Mumbai underworld, fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim and his aides.

Reacting to this development, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said the way in which Malik was taken from his home by ED is a challenge to the Maharashtra government.

“A minister is taken away by central agencies by coming to our state. After 2024, you all will be probed too. Keep this in mind,” Raut warned the BJP.

‘Nawab Malik was taken to the ED office without prior information’

Maharashtra NCP chief and state minister Jayant Patil also reacted to Malik’s questioning and claimed that he was taken to the ED office without prior information.

He had exposed BJP leaders in the past few days, so revenge is being taken now, he alleged.

NCP MP Supriya Sule also blasted the BJP saying that few leaders from the saffron party had predicted through tweets that ED notice will come against Nawab Malik and Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).

“They directly took him to the ED office without any notice. I don’t know what new type of politics they have started. It is an insult to Maharashtra,” she added.

Congress MP calls CBI, ED & Income tax three pokes of a trident

Congress MP from Assam Pradyut Bordoloi called the development “predictable action taken by the vindictive BJP government.”

The BJP has three partners that are like the three pokes of a trident – the CBI, ED and Income tax – which are used to systematically target their political opponents, he said.

The 62-year-old NCP leader arrived at the Enforcement Directorate office in south Mumbai’s Ballard Estate area around 8 am.

Malik’s alleged links to some property deals are under the radar of the federal probe agency.