Political Storm Erupts Over Rs 300 Crore Land Deal
In a significant development that has rocked Maharashtra's political landscape, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar has demanded a fair and transparent investigation into the controversial Rs 300 crore land deal involving his grandson, Parth Pawar. The veteran politician's statement comes amidst growing tensions within the Pawar family and increasing political pressure from opposition parties.
Family Stands Divided Amid Controversy
The Pawar family, which initially showed support for Parth Pawar, now appears to be adopting a more cautious approach. The situation took an interesting turn when Supriya Sule, Parth's aunt and NCP leader, publicly expressed her support for him. "Of course... Be it Parth, Rohit, Jay, Yugendra or Revati, they are all our children," Sule stated on Thursday when questioned about her stance.
However, Sharad Pawar was quick to clarify that Sule's support represented her personal opinion rather than the party's official position. "It is her personal opinion... In politics, it is not family but ideology that is important. There is a difference between politics and family," the NCP patriarch emphasized during his address to media on Saturday.
Targeting the Government and Administration
While dealing with internal family dynamics, the Pawar family has simultaneously launched a strong offensive against Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his administration. Rohit Pawar, MLA and cousin of Parth Pawar, accused the government of showing political bias in handling corruption cases.
"When corruption is highlighted and if the person involved in corruption is close to the Chief Minister, then no action is taken... On the contrary, if the Chief Minister has to target any leader, immediate action is taken. This political bias cannot be justified," Rohit Pawar asserted during his media interaction.
He further questioned the uniformity of BJP's fight against corruption, specifically mentioning the CIDCO land corruption case that he claims the Fadnavis government ignored.
Call for Comprehensive Investigation
Sharad Pawar stressed the importance of a thorough investigation that goes beyond individual accountability. "If an individual is a relative of a person in power or from the opposition and if he is indulging in any wrongdoing, the facts should be brought before the people. But we must remember it isn't just one person involved. There is a long chain," he explained.
The NCP leader highlighted the role of government officers in such controversies, questioning why certain individuals receive preferential treatment while the poor are often ignored. His call for investigation extends to understanding officer behavior and administrative procedures in land deal matters.
When questioned about Parth Pawar's absence from the FIR, Sharad Pawar pointedly responded: "The Chief Minister has said that this matter is serious. If Parth Pawar's name is not in the FIR, then the Chief Minister who is also the Home Minister should reply to this."
The controversy dates back to June when a Pune official sought land eviction at the behest of Pawar's son firm, bringing the 44-acre Mahar land controversy into public spotlight. As the political drama unfolds, all eyes remain on how the state government will respond to the growing demands for a comprehensive investigation into the high-value land deal.
