Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, wednesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and asked him if the Enforcement Directorate (ED) action against Sanjay Raut was because ‘he speaks against the government’. Talking to reporters after the meeting, Pawar also clarified that he is not ready to take up the responsibility of UPA chairman.
“I brought to the notice of the PM the matter regarding (ED) attaching properties of Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut. If a central agency takes a step like this, then they have to take responsibility for it. This action against him is because he speaks against the government?” Pawar said.
Commenting on reports of instability in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), the ruling alliance of Shiv Sena, NCP, and Congress in Maharashtra, Pawar said that there is no threat to MVA. “It is the responsibility of those who are in power, to not make anyone feel ignored or sidelined. No such matter is raised when we sit and talk one-to-one,” he further added.
Pawar hosts dinner for Maharashtra MLAs, Gadkari present
The meeting came a day after Pawar hosted Maharashtra MLAs and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, among others for dinner at his residence. It may also be viewed on the backdrop that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached properties worth crores, belonging to Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut and his wife/ family members under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
“I am not the one who will get scared. Seize my property, shoot me, or send me to jail, Sanjay Raut is a disciple of Balsaheb Thackeray and a Shiv Sainik. I will fight and expose everyone. I am not the one to stay quiet, let them dance. The truth will prevail,” Raut said while alleging that he was being pressurized to topple the MVA government.
