Not saying Pawar involved in MSCB scam: Kirit Somaiya

Mumbai: In what appears to be a U-turn on the issue of NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s involvement in the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank (MSCB) scam, BJP state vice-president Kirit Somaiya Thursday said that the BJP was not claiming that Mr Pawar was connected with the scam but added that he should not mislead the people.

Mr Somaiya also clarified the party’s stand on the MSCB scam and said that the investigation had not been completed and only a first inquiry report (FIR) had been filed by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Mumbai police and the ED following a directive from the Bombay high court.

“We are stating from the first day that all the accused may not be guilty of the scam, but an inquiry should be there. After the probe, it will be clear," the former Lok Sabha MP said.

Mr Somaiya added that a FIR had been registered against the then directors and other concerned authorities over irregularities in the sale of sugar factories upon the direction of the high court.

If Mr Pawar was sure about his innocence, he should approach the Supreme Court instead of blaming the central government, he added.

Mr Somaiya said that a committee had been formed to investigate the scam when Prithviraj Chavan was the chief minister and based on the report of that committee, state cooperative banks had filed a petition in the high court in connection with the sale of cooperative sugar factories.

The BJP leader claimed that there was no hidden link between the state and central governments on this issue.

Just a day ago, Mr Pawar had said that he would visit the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office on September 27 to provide information in a money laundering case registered against him.

Mr Pawar also questioned the timing of the case against him.

The former Union minister had said, "The timing is very important as it comes right before the nominations are to be filed. I believe in the Constitution of India. We won’t bow before Delhi”.