NAGPUR: A day after deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis opposed NCP MLA Nawab Malik’s inclusion in the ruling alliance given the ongoing case against him, the opposition on Friday accused BJP politician of double standards and asked him what his stand was on MP Dust Patel and deputy CM Ajit Pawar of NCP.
On Thursday, the opposition had raised a ruckus over Malik’s occupation of treasury benches and brought up allegations of his links with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.On Friday, in a letter to Fadnavis, leader of the opposition in the council Ambadas Danve of Shiv Sena (UBT) said ED had confiscated Patel’s property over alleged financial dealings with Dawood aide Iqbal Mirchi, yet the Rajya Sabha MP was recently photographed with PM Narendra Modi and union home minister Amit Shah.
State Congress president Nana Patole, too, brought up the Patel question, besides asking how BJP was fine with Pawar despite corruption charges against him. “Is Malik being singled out because he is a Muslim?” he said.
While CM Eknath Shinde made no statement, a Shiv Sena functionary said he had backed Fadnavis’s letter to Pawar that said Malik was not welcome in the alliance. The functionary said the stand was taken by mutual consent.
Despite Fadnavis’ letter, Malik sat on the treasury benches on Friday as well.
The controversy began with Malik, who is out on medical bail, attending the winter session of the legislature here on Thursday and sitting on the treasury benches, setting off speculation that he would join the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP. Malik did not make his position clear on whether he wanted to be with the Ajit Pawar or the Sharad Pawar faction.
Malik is accused of money laundering in the Rs 300 crore Goawala Compound property case of Kurla, Mumbai, with allegations of financial dealings with Dawood.
“The strong feelings you have about Nawab Malik, do you feel the same about Praful Patel? This needs to be disclosed by you. However, we hope that appropriate action will be taken in this regard,” Danve said in his letter.
Patole, meanwhile, said Fadnavis’s stand reflected his double standards. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut also slammed the BJP over Patel.
On Thursday, the opposition had raised a ruckus over Malik’s occupation of treasury benches and brought up allegations of his links with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.On Friday, in a letter to Fadnavis, leader of the opposition in the council Ambadas Danve of Shiv Sena (UBT) said ED had confiscated Patel’s property over alleged financial dealings with Dawood aide Iqbal Mirchi, yet the Rajya Sabha MP was recently photographed with PM Narendra Modi and union home minister Amit Shah.
State Congress president Nana Patole, too, brought up the Patel question, besides asking how BJP was fine with Pawar despite corruption charges against him. “Is Malik being singled out because he is a Muslim?” he said.
While CM Eknath Shinde made no statement, a Shiv Sena functionary said he had backed Fadnavis’s letter to Pawar that said Malik was not welcome in the alliance. The functionary said the stand was taken by mutual consent.
Despite Fadnavis’ letter, Malik sat on the treasury benches on Friday as well.
The controversy began with Malik, who is out on medical bail, attending the winter session of the legislature here on Thursday and sitting on the treasury benches, setting off speculation that he would join the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP. Malik did not make his position clear on whether he wanted to be with the Ajit Pawar or the Sharad Pawar faction.
Malik is accused of money laundering in the Rs 300 crore Goawala Compound property case of Kurla, Mumbai, with allegations of financial dealings with Dawood.
“The strong feelings you have about Nawab Malik, do you feel the same about Praful Patel? This needs to be disclosed by you. However, we hope that appropriate action will be taken in this regard,” Danve said in his letter.
Patole, meanwhile, said Fadnavis’s stand reflected his double standards. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut also slammed the BJP over Patel.