Mumbai, September 28: A day after resigning from the post of MLA, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and former deputy chief minister of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar opened up about his resignation. Ajit defended his uncle and NCP Chief Sharad Pawar whose latter’s name has been mentioned in the Co-operative Bank Scam. The former deputy CM of the state said that Sharad Pawar has no connection with this bank. Sharad Pawar, Nephew Ajit Pawar Among Others Booked in PMLA Case Linked to Maharashtra Cooperative Bank Scam.

While addressing the media, Ajit said, “I feel Sharad Pawar’s name has been dragged just because I am his relative. Because of me, Sharad Pawar and NCP are being defamed. This is the reason I have resigned without asking him.” The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a money laundering case against the NCP chief, his nephew others in connection with the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank (MSCB) scam case.

Ajit Pawar's Statement:

The case is based on a Mumbai Police FIR which had named former chairmen of the bank, ex-deputy chief minister of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar and 70 former functionaries of the cooperative bank. On Friday, Ajit tendered his resignation for the post of MLA from the Maharashtra Assembly. Speaker of the House Haribhau Bagade has accepted his resignation. Yesterday, he NCP chief postponed the visit to Mumbai office of the ED. He said that he had taken the decision after his meeting with the Mumbai Police Commissioner.

The NCP leaders are booked in the money laundering case, a month ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly polls. The elections are scheduled to take place on October 21, and the results will be declared on the same day.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 28, 2019 05:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).