News Analysis India

Tag: Sharad Pawar

  • Two booked for ‘defamatory’ social media comments about Pawar

    By PTI
    PUNE: Two people have been booked for allegedly making “defamatory” comments about NCP chief Sharad Pawar on social media, a Pune rural police official said on Tuesday.

    The case was registered on the complaint of an NCP worker from Baramati, he added.

    The two social media users have been charged under section 505 (2) (creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill will between classes) of the Indian Penal Code, and probe was underway, the Baramati taluka police station official informed.

  • Sharad Pawar wasn’t briefed properly on Anil Deshmukh: Devendra Fadnavis

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday claimed that NCP chief Sharad Pawar was not briefed properly on Home Minister Anil Deshmukh’s whereabouts after he was tested COVID-19 positive.

    The BJP leader, who addressed a press conference in Mumbai, also claimed that the MVA government in the state has not acted on an “incriminating” state intelligence department report containing audio intercepts of large-scale corruption in police transfers and postings.

    “As per police records of VIP movement, Anil Deshmukh went to Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai on February 17 and Mantralaya on February 24,” said Fadnavis, who is also the leader of Opposition in the state Assembly.

    “Deshmukh was in-home quarantine from February 15-27 but met officers and was not in isolation. I feel Pawar Sahab was not briefed properly yesterday,” Fadnavis said.

    Pawar had on Monday told reporters that Deshmukh was recuperating from COVID-19 infection during the period former police commissioner Param Bir Singh has claimed that he was indulging in “extortion activities” through police officers.

  • Deshmukh row: NCP says Maharashtra Home Minister won’t resign; Kamal Nath meets Sharad Pawar

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The NCP on Sunday ruled out resignation of Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh even as the demand for his removal grew louder over former Mumbai police chief’s allegation that he wanted police officers to collect Rs 100 crore monthly from bars and hotels in the city.

    After a three-hour meeting at NCP president Sharad Pawar’s residence here, Jayant Patil, the party’s state chief and senior minister in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, said there is no need to divert attention from the main incident of bomb scare outside Mukesh Ambani’s residence and the killing of Mansukh Hiran, a Thane-based businessman.

    The focus is on these two events and after that appropriate steps will be taken, he said, adding the state Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested two people in the connection with Hiran’s killing.

    “The question of Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh resigning does not arise,” Patil told reporters.

    During a media briefing earlier in the day, Pawar said Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will decide the fate of Deshmukh.

    The allegations levelled by former Mumbai police chief Param Bir Singh against Deshmukh are serious and require an in-depth probe, he said.

    Pawar’s comments came amid speculation in state political circles that Maharashtra may soon have a new home minister.

    Pawar held the meeting with senior leaders Supriya Sule and Praful Patel, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Patil.

    ALSO READ | Ab tak 63: The colourful life of Mumbai cop Sachin Waze now arrested over Ambani bomb scare

    Senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said NCP chief Sharad Pawar was trying to save the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

    He contested Pawar’s assertion that neither Thackeray nor Deshmukh was responsible for reinstating controversial police officer Sachin Waze in the Mumbai police force last year.

    “Waze was given important cases and also got key posts in the police department. Is it possible without the knowledge of the chief minister and the home minister?” Fadnavis posed.

    Param Bir Singh has alleged that Deshmukh wanted police officers to collect Rs 100 crore monthly from bars and hotels in Mumbai.

    The NCP along with the Shiv Sena is part of the Mahavikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra, and the home department belongs to the Sharad Pawar led-NCP.

    Meanwhile, the demand for Deshmukh’s removal after Singh’s allegation grew louder with BJP leaders and workers staging protests in various cities demanding his resignation.

    Hitting back at the BJP, Patil said there were many charges against Devendra Fadnavis’ ministers but he did not ask anyone to resign.

    Before the meeting at Pawar’s residence here, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut had met him.

    Senior Congress leader Kamal Nath also met Pawar separately.

    ALSO READ | Won’t be fair to comment as NCP chief has spoken: Congress on graft charges against Deshmukh

    Singh, a senior IPS officer, who was transferred to the low-key Home Guards on March 17 following the arrest of police officer Sachin Waze in the case related to the bomb scare near Mukesh Ambani’s house Antilia, in a letter to the Maharashtra chief minister had claimed that he was made a scapegoat.

    In the eight-page letter to Chief Minister Thackeray, Singh alleged that Deshmukh used to call police officers to his official residence and give them a “collection target” from bars, restaurants and other establishments.

    The Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Office, in a release on Saturday, said Singh’s “unsigned letter to Thackeray” was not sent from his official email ID and efforts were on to contact him to verify it.

    Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Kamal Nath on Sunday met Pawar in New Delhi in view of ongoing developments in Maharashtra, sources said.

    The Congress high command deputed Nath to meet Pawar to defuse a “political crisis in Maharashtra,” said Rasheed Kidwai, a senior journalist and political analyst.

    The Congress and the NCP are part of the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

  • Won’t be fair to comment as NCP chief has spoken: Congress on graft charges against Deshmukh

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Congress on Sunday said it would not be fair on its part to comment on the controversy that erupted after ex-Mumbai police chief Param Bir Singh accused Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh of graft as the NCP and the chief minister are looking into it.

    Steering clear of making a direct comment on the matter, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said the issue concerns Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and the NCP as the minister in question is from that party.

    Attempting to deflect questions concerning Maharashtra, Singhvi raised the issue of graft charges against Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa to accuse the BJP of hypocrisy and questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on the mater.

    He asked why the prime minister and Home Minister Amit Shah have not uttered a word about the corruption allegation against Yediyurappa, even when there have been three judgments from the high court in this regard.

    “We want Yediyurappa to resign immediately,” the Congress spokesperson said.

    On the developments in Maharashtra, he said the Maha Vikas Aghadi government is one and NCP leader Sharad Pawar is addressing charges against Deshmukh, who belongs to that party.

    “Sharad Pawar has commented on what is essentially concerning a minister from that part of the coalition. I think it would not be fair for me to say anything, much of what has been said by Pawar in consultation with the CM.”

    “But whatever has been left out, you would have to approach Maharashtra’s Congress in-charge H K Patil,” he told reporters when asked to clear his party’s stand on the issue.

    Singhvi said Patil has been requested to deal with this and he can be approached in this regard.

    “Primarily, this issue concerns the NCP and the chief minister. The Aghadi government is one. Pawar has spoken, Patil will speak tomorrow. Wait for some more time, as you have received silence on the issue of Yediyurappa,” he said.

    Asked about BJP accusing the Congress of hypocrisy for not speaking on the Maharashtra issue, Singhvi said, “Has Modi made a comment on Yediyurappa, even after three briefings by me. There has been no briefing or comments from him. Has the Home Minister (Amit Shah) even bothered to talk about Yediyurappa.”

    ALSO READ | NCP chief Sharad Pawar says Param Bir Singh’s claims serious; decision on Anil Deshmukh on Monday

    The Congress spokesperson said the leader of the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition Sharad Pawar has already spoken and he will be giving a more detailed statement by tomorrow and the chief minister is already looking into it.

    “Which of these has happened with Mr Modi qua Mr Yediyurappa? He has become a ‘mauni baba’ on this issue?” Singhvi posed.

    On the BJP’s charge that Udhav Thackeray has lost the moral authority to rule, the Congress leader said, “I will agree with him after the facts come out. But till then, substitute the word Uddhav Thackeray with Yeddyurappa and just kindly put the poster back in his drawing-room. I request him to use the same sentence and put the name of Yediyurappa as there are three orders of the High Court.”

    Singhvi alleged that Yediyurappa has the guts to go to the Supreme Court to get an interim order for not being arrested and continues to “stick” to his seat.

    “We have not even heard a whisper from anybody in the BJP which gives us lectures on morality every day. The contrast is clear,” he said.

    “The hypocrisies and double-face is underlined in fact by the totally different conduct of the two parties,” he said pointing out inaction on the part of the BJP leadership on the alleged corruption charges against Yediyurappa.

    Singhvi accused the Karnataka chief minister of having crossed limits of shame and alleged that he has no morality left in holding on to the post when there are three High Court orders for trying him under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

    “We cannot allow political thick-skinnedness to take us for granted. People’s indifference becomes a breeding ground for corruption and it is to shock you out of your indifference that we speak to you through the media,” he said.

    The Congress leader claimed the fear of losing power is corrupting and alleged that Yediyurappa is hanging on to the chief minister’s seat without regard to morality and political decency.

    “Is this the moral plane on which the chief minister can sit on his seat? Is this the morality of the prime minister who never asks him to leave? Is this the principal stand of the home minister who does not remove him? “Is this the Nelsonian blind eye of the party to which he belongs which will not touch him? Is this the naked, shameless lust for power that makes people stick on and parties ignore everything? This is the worst form of breeding down of corruption. It clearly exposes the unethical, unscrupulous and untrustworthy nature of the BJP,” Singhvi said.

  • NCP chief Sharad Pawar says Param Bir Singh’s claims serious; decision on Anil Deshmukh on Monday

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: NCP president Sharad Pawar on Sunday said Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will decide the fate of Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, who is facing corruption allegations by former Mumbai police chief Param Bir Singh.

    Pawar’s comments came during a media briefing at Delhi amid speculation in state political circles that Maharashtra may soon have a new home minister.

    The allegations leveled by Singh against Deshmukh are serious and require an in-depth probe, Pawar said.

    Singh has claimed Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh wanted police officers to collect Rs 100 crore monthly from bars and hotels.

    ALSO READ | Letter from Param Bir Singh sent via unofficial email id without signature: Uddhav’s office

    Pawar suggested that Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will take a decision in this matter and also action against Deshmukh.

    Pawar said neither Thackeray nor Deshmukh were responsible for reinstatement of police officer Sachin Waze in the police force last year.

    The NCP chief said he has spoken to Thackeray regarding Singh’s letter.

    “I would suggest Thackeray to seek former IPS officer Julio Ribeiro’s help for looking into the claims made by Param Bir Singh,” he said.

    It was not clear if Ribeiro is willing to be roped in.

    “We will take a decision on Deshmukh by tomorrow,” he said.

    Deshmukh’s side also needs to be heard before taking any decision, he added.

    Pawar said Singh had complained to him aboutpolitical interference in police department.

    He said Singh had spoken of reports about his transfer, saying it would be an injustice to him.

    Pawar said Singh made the allegations after his transfer on March 17 to the Home Guards.

    There is no impact on the MVA government because of Singh’s allegations, Pawar said.

    Efforts are on to destabilise the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government in Maharashtra but they will prove futile, he added.

    ALSO READ: Param Bir Singh letter bomb – Full text of former Mumbai top cop’s letter to Maharashtra CM

    In the eight-page letter to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Singh alleged that Deshmukh used to call police officers to his official residence and give them a “collection target” from bars, restaurants and other establishments.

    Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut admitted that the allegations made by Singh against Deshmukh and about the Waze case have tainted the image of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in the state.

    Raut saio all the MVA allies need to introspect if their feet are on the ground.

    Former chief minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said Pawar was trying to save the Maha Vikas Aghadi government amid allegations of corruption leveled by Singh against Deshmukh.

    “How were important postings and cases given to Waze without the knowledge of the chief minister and the home minister?” Fadnavis told reporters in Nagpur.

    Waze is in the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for his alleged role in placing an explosives- laden SUV outside the south Mumbai residence of industrialist Mukesh Ambani last month.

    The NIA is also probing the alleged murder of Thane- based businessman Mansukh Hiran who was in possession of that SUV.

    “As the architect of the MVA government, Pawar is trying to save it, Fadnavis said and reiterated his demand for resignation of Deshmukh and a court-monitored probe into the allegations made by Singh.

    “Waze (a former encounter specialist who was suspended after the alleged custodial death of bomb blast suspect Khwaja Yunis in 2003) was reinstated by a committee headed by Param Bir Singh.

    But how is it possible that he got important cases and postings without the knowledge of the CM and the home minister?” Fadnavis said.

    Former MP Sanjay Nirupam said his Congress party must take a stand on Singh’s claim that Deshmukh wanted police officers to collect Rs 100 crore monthly from bars and hotels.

    Meanwhile, BJP workers on Sunday staged demonstrations in various parts of the state demanding Deshmukh’s resignation over Singh’s letter.

    BJP workers led by former state energy minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule staged protests at Sanvidhan square in Nagpur and raised slogans against the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

    A demonstration was organised by BJP Yuva Morcha wokers outside Deshmukh’s residence in Nagpur.

  • Sharad Pawar should head UPA, says Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday said NCP chief Sharad Pawar should take over as UPA chairperson.

    The need of the hour is to strengthen the United Progresstive Alliance so that it emerges as a strong alternative to the BJP, Raut told reporters in Nashik.

    “Congress president Sonia Gandhi has handled the responsibility (as UPA chairperson) very well. She is unwell now and not politically active….Pawar should become UPA chief.

    If UPA emerges stronger, the Congress too will benefit,” the Rajya Sabha member said.

    The Sena shares power with the Congress and the NCP in Maharashtra, but it is not part of the Congress-led UPA.

    The Sena mouthpiece `Saamana’, of which Raut is executive editor, had recenlty created a flutter by stating in an editorial that if Pawar became UPA chief, it will benefit the alliance.

    Parties such as Shiv Sena and Akali Dal should also come under the UPA umbrella to take on the BJP, it had said.

  • Ambani security scare: Maharashtra home minister meets Sharad Pawar, briefs him about Vaze case

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Facing criticism over the handling of Mumbai police official Sachin Vaze case, Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh Friday met NCP chief Sharad Pawar here and the briefed him about the developments related to it among other issues.

    The meeting lasted for nearly two hours.

    “He was briefed about the last development about Mumbai (the Sachin Vaze case) and also about the developments on the explosives found in a car outside (industrialist) Mukesh Ambani’s house,” Deshmukh, who belongs to the NCP, he told reporters.

    He added that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the state Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) are probing the case and the state government is cooperating with the NIA.

    “Whoever is guilty will be punished. But till the time the NIA does not complete the probe, I would not be able to comment. Necessary action will be taken by the state government after the NIA completes its probe,” Deshmukh said.

    He had come under criticism over the handling of the Vaze case.

    Responding to a question whether Deshmukh would be removed, Pawar on Wednesday had said, “This is news to me.”

    “We do not believe that (an arrest of Vaze) will impact the state government,” Pawar had added.

    Deshmukh said certain industries are keen to set up their units in Multi-modal International Cargo Hub and Airport MIHAN, Nagpur.

    He said his meeting with the NCP president was to seek his help from the Commerce and Industry ministry in this regard.

    The meeting with Pawar comes two days after the transfer of Param Bir Singh, the Mumbai Police Commissioner.

    Earlier, Mumbai Police assistant sub-inspector Vaze was arrested by the (NIA) for allegedly planting a car with gelatin sticks outside Ambani’s residence.

    Vaze, 49, credited with eliminating 63 alleged criminals in ‘encounters’, is also facing heat in the murder case of Mansukh Hiran, who was in possession of the Scorpio. Hiran was found dead in a creek in Thane district on March 5.

    Vaze, a 1990-batch officer, was earlier suspended in 2004 over his role in the custodial death of a 2002 Ghatkopar blast suspect Khwaja Yunus.

    Later, he joined the Shiv Sena. However, he was reinstated last year.

  • Kerala polls: Chacko joins NCP, pitches for Pawar’s leadership to raise Opposition unity

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI:  Former Kerala Congress leader PC Chacko joined the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Tuesday.  

    “I am formally joining NCP today,” he said. The 74-year-old is a former Member of Parliament from Kerala’s Thrissur constituency.

    He headed the Joint Parliamentary Committee on 2G Spectrum during the UPA government (2009-2014).

    On March 10, he announced his decision to quit Congress over the alleged undemocratic way of selecting candidates for the upcoming Assembly polls in Kerala which is scheduled for April 6.

    Earlier on Tuesday, he said that he would be meeting Sharad Pawar and a few other leaders.

    “Whatever crisis the party is facing, it needs to be discussed. I’m also meeting Sitaram Yechury and Ghulam Nabi Azad to discuss future course of action. I need to extend my support to the LDF (Left Democratic Front of Kerala). I’ll decide (on joining) after meeting Pawar sahib,” he said while talking to media on Tuesday.

    The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala is looking to replace the Communist-led Left Democratic Front government of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

    The state, which has never given a second consecutive term to the incumbent chief minister or alliance till now, could throw up a surprise this time.

    Chacko was welcomed into the NCP fold by Pawar, senior NCP leaders Praful Patel, Supriya Sule, Sunil Tatkare and others.

    Chacko recalled his association with Pawar when both of them were in the Congress.

    Prior to Chacko joining the NCP, Pawar met CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury.

    After formally joining the NCP, Chacko said the LDF will return to power in Kerala.

    The NCP is a constituent in the LDF in Kerala. Chacko said he will start campaigning for the LDF in a few days. 

    Announcing his resignation from the Congress last week, Chacko had alleged group interest in deciding the party’s candidates for the upcoming Kerala Assembly polls.

    Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi represents the Wayanad constituency in Kerala in the Lok Sabha.

    “What is needed is unity of the opposition. A united opposition should emerge as an alternative to the BJP. I do not see that initiative very much from the party that I was in earlier. I am sure that Pawar sahib, his leadership and contacts will be effective in forging the unity of the opposition,” said Chacko.

    (With PTI Inputs)

  • Mansukh Hiren death: Trouble for Deshmukh as Maharashtra Cabinet rejig on cards

    Express News Service
    MUMBAI: With questions being raised on Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh’s handling  of crucial and sensitive cases like the bomb scare near Mukesh Ambani’s residence Antillia, talks of replacing him have started and are gathering momentum within the NCP.

    According to reports, during the Assembly session, the Maharashtra government was said to be on the backfoot over Mansukh Hiren death and suspected role of encounter specialist cop Sachin Waze.

    If a senior NCP leader is to be believed, Sharad Pawar is of the view that keeping a non-performing minister in the Cabinet will not only will damage the government but also his party’s image.

    “Light-weight Anil Deshmukh was made the home minister because of the pressure of his party colleagues, but he has failed in the first year only. On the other hand, the Opposition is getting hold of every crucial information related to Hiren death case, including the CDR details between Sachin Waze and deceased. It also got the locations record. In Dadra Nagar Haveli MP  suicide case also, Opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis got the suicide note before the home minister. That shows things are not working for Deshmukh,” said a source.

    Meanwhile, Vaze has denied that he was using the Scorpio which was in possession of Mansukh Hiran, a senior Maharashtra Anti- Terrorism Squad (ATS) official said on Thursday.

    The ATS, which is probing Hiran’s mysterious death, recorded Vaze’s statement earlier this week, he said.

    ALSO READ | Mansukh Hiran’s death was carefully planned murder: Devendra Fadnavis

    Hiran’s wife had claimed that her husband had given the SUV to Vaze in November, which the Mumbai crime branch officer returned in the first week of February.

    On February 25, the SUV was found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s house in south Mumbai with explosives and a threat letter inside.

    Hiran had claimed that it had been stolen a week earlier, but the case got murky when he was found dead in a creek in Thane on March 5.

    Vaze, accused by Hiran’s wife of involvement in her husband’s suspicious death, was shunted out of the Mumbai crime branch on Wednesday.

    Meanwhile, the investigators have yet to trace the Innova car in which the man who parked the Scorpio near Ambani’s house is seen leaving the spot in CCTV footage, another official said.

    (With PTI Inputs)

  • ‘Modi has time to address rally in Bengal, but can’t meet protesting farmers’: Pawar lashes out at PM

    Express News Service
    RANCHI: Making a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, NCP Chief Sharad Pawar said that the former has time to visit foreign Countries and address rallies in West Bengal, but has no time to visit farmers at the Delhi borders who have been protesting for the last 100 days. 

    Addressing the State level workers conference in Ranchi on Sunday, Pawar also alleged that the BJP is spreading “communal poison” in the country.

    “The farmers have been protesting on Delhi borders for the last 100 days, but the Prime Minister, who has time to visit foreign Countries, address rally in West Bengal, has no time for the farmers who have been protesting merely 20 kilometers from his official residence,” said Pawar.

    Later, talking to the media persons, the NCP Chief also hinted on supporting Mamata Banerjee in the upcomming Bengal polls.

    “Though, we used to contest on some of the seats in West Bengal, but the way BJP is targeting Mamta Banerjee, we are mulling on supporting her in the upcomming Assembly elections. Party workers have opined that the centre is misusing its power to defeat Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal and hence it is high time that she may be lent support,” said Pawar. 

    They are mulling not to field their candidates in Bengal and support her in the upcomming elections, he added.

    Pawar further added that ‘communal poison’ is being spread in most of the states and prices of which are being paid by the poor and people of minority communities.

    Taking a dig at BJP, Pawar said that the centre is taking help from AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi to win elections.

    “The ruling party at the centre, in order to divide votes, always takes help of others and Asaduddin Owaisi is one of them,” said Pawar.

    The NCP chief alleged that the Central government is using central agencies to suppress the voices of Opposition in non-BJP ruled States.

    “The way the Prime Minister, Home Minister and other top leaders of BJP have launched a campaign against the governments of West Bengal and other non-BJP ruled states by misusing the central agencies like CBI and ED, it is a serious issue and all of us must think about it,” said Pawar.

    The NCP Chief said that his party will expand its base in Jharkhand in the coming days.