Sharad Pawar has no connection with MSC bank, says Ajit Pawar

NCP chief Sharad Pawar has no connection in the alleged ₹25,000 crore scam at the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank, his nephew and party leader, Ajit Pawar, whose sudden resignation sent shockwaves through the state, said on Saturday (September 28).

At a press conference, an emotional Ajit denied any rift within the Pawar family and said he resigned as MLA in keeping with his “conscience” after his uncle’s name got embroiled in the alleged MSC Bank scam for no reason.

“Sharad Pawar is not even remotely associated with the bank or its transactions in any capacity. Yet, the day before yesterday, only Pawar saheb’s name was doing rounds in connection with the case,” Ajit Pawar said.

“I reached up to (the post of) deputy chief minister because of Sharad Pawar….I was perturbed as I felt it was because of me that he had to face infamy at this age. Hence, I decided to resign in keeping with my conscience,” he added. “I apologise to NCP workers if their sentiments were hurt by my actions.”

Some media reports had said that Ajit was upset because his nephew Rohit Pawar was being promoted in the party at his cost. Reports of a turf-war between Ajit and his cousin Supriya Sule too keep surfacing.

Also read: No feud in family, says Sharad Pawar after nephew Ajit resigns as MLA

Ajit also questioned the allegations against him in connection with the alleged Rs 25,000 crore scam at the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank.

He said leaders of all political parties were members of the board of the cooperative bank, and all decisions about sanctioning of loans and other matters were taken collectively.

MSCB held deposits of Rs 11,500-12,000 crore, so how could a scam of Rs 25,000 crore happen, he asked, and pointed out that the bank had reported a profit of Rs 285 crore.

The Mumbai police recently registered an FIR in the case upon the Bombay High Court’s orders, which was followed by registration of a case of money laundering by the Enforcement Directorate against Ajit Pawar, Sharad Pawar and others.

Also read: Won’t bow down before Delhi, says Pawar on ED action

Earlier on Saturday, Ajit Pawar, who had remained incommunicado after his resignation, met the NCP chief at the latter’s residence here. Sharad Pawar’s daughter and NCP MP Supriya Sule also attended the meeting where only members of the Pawar clan were present, sources said.

On Friday, Ajit caused a flutter when he sent his resignation as MLA from Baramati in Pune district to Assembly Speaker Haribhau Bagade.

His resignation in the run-up to the October 21 Maharashtra assembly polls came on a day when NCP leaders and workers rallied behind Sharad Pawar who had decided to visit the ED office here. Pawar later cancelled the visit.