'Ready to face investigation, but...': Sharad Pawar on Patra Chawl Case

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar said on Wednesday that filing cases and arresting opposition leaders appear as the Centre's flagship project. Also, Pawar has denied all allegations against him by the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Patra Chawl case. He did, however, insist on a thorough investigation.

While talking to the media, the NCP supremo said, "If you read today's newspaper, you'll see a thorough account of how Central investigation agencies have stepped up their efforts to target Opposition parties and leaders. It appears that the Center's main initiative is to file lawsuits and arrest opposition leaders."

In addition, Pawar said, "These actions are taken as crucial work if they have any doubt regarding the outcome of an election." According to Pawar, society's major problems and key issues are set aside. 

The NCP leader stated, "We, however, would respond to it politically."

While talking about Mumbai's Patra chawl redevelopment project case, Pawar said, "The charges included in the ED charge sheet and about the meeting I hosted in 2006 are all false. However, the matter needs a thorough investigation."

Further, Pawar challenged the state government, saying, "I am ready to face an inquiry, possibly conduct an investigation in the next eight days; however, what if the allegations against me are false? First, clarify the state government's role in dealing with the accusers."

On Tuesday, the BJP demanded that Sharad Pawar be investigated promptly for alleged interference in the Patra Chawl redevelopment project, in which Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for alleged money laundering.

A key witness in the Patra chawl redevelopment project case told the Enforcement Directorate that during 2008-09, some residents of the area approached NCP chief Sharad Pawar through local politicians about the chawl's redevelopment.

The witness further told the ED that after several meetings, Sanjay Raut and Pravin Raut, along with Rakesh Wadhawan of HDIL (Housing Development Infrastructure Ltd), were asked to handle the project.

Pawar had received a notice from the Enforcement Directorate before the 2019 Assembly elections. However, the agency later stated that Pawar's presence was not required for the investigation.

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• BJP
• NCP
• Nationalist Congress Party
• Patra Chawl case
• Sharad Pawar