Aday after NCP supremo Sharad Pawar accused the Centre of attempting to destabilise the state government and using central agencies to target ministers, such as Anil Deshmukh, the BJP said it would have been better if Pawar had believed in the judiciary.

BJP leader Ram Kadam said, “Former Home Minister of Maharashtra Anil Deshmukh is currently behind bars. The way the vasooligate [extortion] scandal came out was unfortunate. But can such a scandal ever be supported? Is it possible that this scandal was limited to the former home minister and another Shiv Sena leader? The links of this scandal could well reach the bosses of some leaders.”

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The BJP leader expressed regret that Sharad Pawar “didn’t show belief in investigating agencies and the judiciary. “Sharad Pawar is levelling allegations, counter-allegations, and engaging in politics of sarcasm,” said Ram Kadam.

On the issue of Param Bir Singh, the BJP leader said the state government should have disclosed the whereabouts of the missing officer on its own. “If the state government doesn’t know the whereabouts of its own officer then are the 12 crore people of the state secure under this government?” he asked.

On November 17, Sharad Pawar targeted the BJP over several issues while addressing a gathering in Nagpur. He had said: “Wherever the party presently in power at the Centre doesn’t come to power, it destabilises the state government by abusing its power.”

“Congress and NCP have an important role to play in the state government. They have taken the state on the path of development by giving a stable government. But some people do not like this. Continuous efforts are being made to destabilise the state,” he had said.

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“As soon as allegations were made against Anil Deshmukh, he came to me and resigned. While the former commissioner, who levelled allegations, isn’t ready to show his face. Such people are outside whereas Anil Deshmukh is inside,” he added.

“Some unscrupulous people make a list and send it to Delhi seeking action. Eknath Khadse and his wife were called by the Enforcement Directorate after he moved out of BJP. When nothing could be done against Sanjay Raut, his wife was summoned. When nothing could be done against Ajit Pawar, officials of a central agency was sent to his sister’s place. Hasan Mushrif’s house was searched, but nothing was found. The cost of putting anil Deshmukh inside will be recovered one day,” Pawar said.