Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the arrest of a party worker, Ajit Acharekar, for his alleged involvement in a gold smuggling racket at the city airport. Raut demanded answers from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis regarding the incident.
Gold Smuggling Case Details
Acharekar, an employee of AI Airport Services Ltd, along with six others, was arrested by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officers in the early hours of Saturday. They are accused of smuggling gold dust mixed with wax worth over Rs 5 crore out of the airport.
Raut's Allegations Against BJP
Raut alleged that Maharashtra BJP President Ravindra Chavan had inducted these individuals to ensure the party's control over gold smuggling at Mumbai airport. In a post on X, Raut stated: "Maharashtra BJP President Ravindra Chavan's behavior, speech, glances, and gait have never suited the social and political culture of the state. In every election in Konkan, he has excessively used money. The district bank election was also captured in the same manner. Where does this much money come from for him? This question had occurred to many. The answer came last night!"
Raut further claimed that Chavan got involved in airport workers' union activities, broke other unions, and gained control over the airport. He set up and supported gangs of thugs, and now those same people have been arrested by DRI in the gold smuggling case. "This matter is serious. If investigated deeply, it will reveal where BJP earns its money from. In the photo below, the people with whom the BJP president is shaking hands have been arrested by DRI! These people have ruined Maharashtra! Fadnavis, at least now get serious!" Raut added.
He also shared photographs of Chavan with Acharekar from when the latter joined BJP a few months ago.
