Sharad Pawar has no relation with MSCB: Ajit Pawar on case against NCP chief

 

The Indian Express

Mumbai, Sep 28: A day after he tendered his resignation, NCP leader Ajit Pawar addressed press conference at Mumbai’s YB Chavan center on Saturday and said that Sharad Pawar had no relation with the bank. “Sharad Pawar has no relation or association with the bank,” said Ajit. The ED had registered a case of alleged money laundering in connection with irregularities in the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank (MSCB) against Sharad Pawar, Ajit and several others including Anandrao Adsul (Shiv Sena), Jayant Patil (PWP), Diliprao Deshmukh and Madan Patil (Congress), Ishwarlal Jain and Shivajirao Nalawade (NCP).

“I don’t want to get into whether I was right or wrong about submitting my resignation. I want to apologize to my colleagues for doing what I did without informing them,” he said. “If the total deposits of MSCB bank are Rs 11000 crore, then how can they say that the scam was of Rs 25000 crore? The loans that have been issued by the MSCB Bank are mostly recovered,” he added.

Sharad Pawar had claimed that Ajit had resigned as he was hurt that the NCP chief has been named in the case. “I have not been able to directly speak to him (Ajit) after I got to know about his decision. He did not consult me… I feel he could not tolerate that I was booked,” Sharad said.

But Ajit denied the claims and said, “Our family listens to what Pawar has to say. There is no rift in our family. Our family may be large but things happen the way the seniormost person decides.”

Ajit also met his uncle and party chief Sharad Pawar at the latter’s residence early in the day. Sharad’s daughter Supriya Sule was also present at the meeting, reported news agency PTI. After the meeting, the NCP chief told reporters, “There is nothing to worry. He (Ajit Pawar) himself will give you (media) further details.” Ajit Pawar is scheduled held a press conference at the YB Chavan center in Mumbai.

A five-time MLA from Baramati, Ajit didn’t cite any reason for his resignation and went incognito.