ED targeted Sena MLA for his stand in Naik suicide case: Raut
The Shiv Sena on Tuesday termedthe EDs raids on properties of party MLA Pratap Sarnaik as”political vendetta” for taking a firm stand against a”television channel” and in architect Anvay Naik suicide case.
Talking to reporters here, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut,without naming the BJP, said it should forget the dream ofcoming to power in Maharashtra for the next 25 years, “nomatter how much pressure it exerts or spreads terror throughagencies”.
“The Maharashtra government or its leaders will notsurrender to pressure from anyone,” he said.
Earlier in the day, the Enforcement Directorate (ED)raided various premises linked to Sarnaik in Mumbai andneighbouring Thane in connection with a money laundering case,official sources said.
In evening, Pratap Sarnaik met Raut.
Raut said Sarnaik told him that he had no idea aboutthe case in which action has been initiated by the ED.
“If you have begun today, we know how to end it,” theSenas chief spokesperson said.
“Sarnaik took a firm stand in connection with achannel and in the Anvay Naik suicide case. Hence, suchsuppressive action…the entire Shiv Sena is with Sarnaik. TheEDs action is a political matter,” Raut added.
Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami is anaccused in the abetment of suicide case of Anvay Naik, aninterior desisgner who had killed himself over alleged non-payment of dues by Republic TV for his work in 2018.
Sarnaik was in news when he wrote a letter seekingre-opening of the abetment to suicide case. Goswami wasrecently arrested by Raigad Police in the case. He is now outon bail.
Sarnaik had also demanded a unanimous resolution inthe Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for legal action againstactress Kangana Ranaut, who, he said, has “maligned” the imageof Maharashtra and Mumbai through her tweets.
“This action is definitely a political vendetta. TheED or other agencies should not work as a branch of apolitical party,” Raut said.
He said Sarnaiks properties were raided while thelatter was not at home, and added that no matter how manynotices are issued, only truth shall prevail in Maharashtra.
Raut also said there was no ban on investigation byany agency and it can take action if there is evidence.
“But, you want to mentally harass the people relatedto the (state) government. These actions will backfire on you.
And I think that time is nearing,” Raut said.
The Sena, which was earlier a long-term ally of theBJP before a bitter fallout last year on the issue of sharingthe CMs post, is in power in Maharashtra along with the NCPand Congress.
“Be it the CBI or ED, our government, MLAs and leaderswill not surrender to anyone no matter what. We will keepfighting,” Raut said.
Those who are trying to use (Central) agencies as apressure tactic or want to demoralise MLAs, should keep inmind that “this is Maharashtra of Chhatrapati ShivajiMaharaj”, he said.
The Sena will not be scared if the ED sets up itsoffice outside the residences of each of the partys MLAs, MPsand leaders, Raut said.
Raut said he can send to the ED a list of 100 peopleof “a party whose orders the agency is taking” about theirbusinesses and how their money-laundering is going on.
The Sena “wont care” if the central probe agencies,judiciary and law are going to behave as if “slaves orservants” of those in power, he said.
“No matter how many notices you send, raids youconduct, create fake documents and evidence, but inMaharashtra and in the case of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA),only truth shall prevail. The motto of Satyamev Jayate canwin only in Maharashtra,” Raut said.
Asked about the notice issued by the ED to NCP chiefSharad Pawar last year, Raut said the federal agency may haveopened its branch in the BJPs office.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Federal staff and is auto-published from a syndicated feed.)