BJP’s clamour for Nawab Malik’s ouster grows

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stepped up its attack on the ruling Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government on Wednesday, demanding resignation of state minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Nawab Malik, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money-laundering case last month

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stepped up its attack on the ruling Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government on Wednesday, demanding resignation of state minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Nawab Malik, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money-laundering case last month.

Leader of opposition Devendra Fadnavis along with party leaders being detained on Wednesday. Bhushan Koyande/HT Photo

At a protest march at Azad Maidan, the opposition party alleged that the minister’s land deal with gangster Dawood Ibrahim, accused of carrying out the 1993 serial bomb blasts, helped his gang fund terror activities. The march led by leader of opposition and former chief minister Devenda Fadnavis was attended by key leaders, including state BJP chief Chandrakant Patil and former ministers Sudhir Mungantiwar, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, and Ashish Shelar.

Police detained all the leaders near Metro Cinema when they were proceeding to Vidhan Bhavan. In around 30 minutes, they were let off.

Fadnavis said the BJP would continue its agitation until Malik was sacked from the state cabinet. “We received an overwhelming response from people to our protest. We would not tolerate any attempt to shield Malik who had helped the enemy of the country. The state has been pointing to the arrest of ministers in West Bengal, but they should realise the difference between the two cases. The MVA does care more about the feelings of Dawood than the sentiments of the people,” he said, adding that protests would be held at the village level as well.

Patil said Malik’s removal was imperative for the safety of Mumbai and Maharashtra. He also refuted the allegation that the protest was held eyeing the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections. “The local body elections have already been postponed by six months. Our protest was in the interest of Mumbai and the state,” he said.

Fadnavis on Tuesday raised the demand of Malik’s sacking in the Assembly. He also accused the MVA of creating false evidence to frame a few BJP leaders. He submitted 28 pen drives reportedly with the recording of about 125 hours in the House to substantiate his claim.

Home minister Dilip Walse Patil said that his scheduled reply on Thursday would throw light on the facts related to the allegations levelled by Fadnavis. “The reply to his allegations has been deferred on request of the opposition. The truth will come out after my reply on the floor of the House,” he said.