Chhagan Bhujbal Denies Joining BJP Alliance to Evade ED Investigations Amid Political Claims

Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal refuted claims that he joined the BJP-led alliance to escape an Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe. He stated he never admitted such a motive. Bhujbal clarified that the case against him was closed when he was part of the previous government. He and his colleagues aligned with the BJP to expedite development in their constituencies.

Bhujbal's response came after journalist Rajdeep Sardesai's book suggested he admitted the ED case influenced his decision to leave the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder Sharad Pawar and support Ajit Pawar, who split the party in July 2023. "I have not read the book. I think it is a deliberate attempt to divert attention. We are in the middle of assembly elections. After the elections, I will consult my lawyers and take action if anything wrong has been attributed to me," Bhujbal told reporters.

Political Allegations and Reactions

MP Supriya Sule from the Sharad Pawar-led NCP SP cited excerpts from Sardesai's book published by a newspaper, saying they supported her allegations. "I have spoken in Parliament on numerous occasions about the misuse of central agencies. Rival parties are being broken up by an invisible power in an unconstitutional way," she stated in Pune.

Sule claimed that 95% of cases by the ED and Income Tax were against opposition leaders, alleging that BJP forms governments by coercing them. She mentioned that even women family members were targeted, citing raids on Rajni Indulkar, Nita Patil, and Vijaya Patil as examples.

Ajit Pawar, Sule's estranged cousin and deputy chief minister, dismissed the book excerpts as an attempt to create a new narrative. "Bhujbal has clarified that he never gave any such interview," he said. He suggested that as elections approach, new narratives are being crafted.

Pressure from Central Agencies

Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut alleged he was warned of action by central agencies if he didn't leave Sena for BJP. Anil Parab, Anil Deshmukh, and other opposition leaders faced similar pressures, Raut claimed. "I had written a letter to then Vice President Venkaiah Naidu which is on record," said Raut.

Raut asserted that pressure from ED was a major factor in splits within Shiv Sena and NCP. In Sardesai's book "2024 - The Election That Surprised India," Bhujbal reportedly expressed concern over a fresh ED notice in May 2023, claiming he felt compelled to join BJP.

Political Dynamics and Allegations

In July 2023, Ajit Pawar and loyal MLAs left NCP to join BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, forming part of the Mahayuti government. NCP SP spokesperson Mahesh Tapase expressed dismay at senior leaders allegedly joining the ruling party to avoid investigations.

"Such admissions only reinforce the belief that the BJP operates as a washing machine where corrupt leaders enter and emerge spotless," Tapase remarked. These developments highlight ongoing political tensions and allegations of misuse of central agencies in Maharashtra's political landscape.