Sharad Pawar Latest Opposition Leader to be Targeted by This Vindictive Government: Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi, September 27: Hours before former Maharashtra chief minister Sharad Pawar was scheduled to appear before the Enforcement Directorate for his alleged role in a multi-crore scam, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed solidarity with the embattled NCP president. The Gandhi scion said the charges against Pawar are aimed to politically damage his party ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in the state. Mumbai Police Impose Section 144 in Ballard Pier as Sharad Pawar Likely to Visit ED Office.

"Sharad Pawar ji is the latest Opposition leader to be targeted by a vindictive Government. The timing of this action, a month before elections in Maharashtra, reeks of political opportunism," Gandhi said.

Pawar, a multi-time Union Minister apart from being one of the tallest figure in Maharashtra politics, was named in the additional chargesheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate in the money laundering case linked to Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank (MSCB) scam. The quantum of the alleged fraud is stated to be Rs 25,000 crore.

Tweet by Rahul Gandhi:

Section 144 Imposed Around ED's Mumbai Office:

Pawar had voluntarily offered to make himself available for ED questioning today. The NCP supremo has outrightly rejected the allegations levelled against him.

"I have never done anything wrong. Such charges cannot make me afraid. If they want to put me in jail, I welcome their decision. I am ready to go to jail," he said. Taking a jibe at members of the ruling dispensation, Pawar added, "Those who have been in jail are now asking me what I have done. Public of Maharashtra know what I have done."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 27, 2019 11:47 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).