Oil fuels fight between state, Opposition

The issue of patronising the oil mafia resulted in a sharp exchange between the state government and the opposition on Saturday.

The issue of patronising the oil mafia resulted in a sharp exchange between the state government and the opposition on Saturday.

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Eknath Khadse, opposition leader of the state assembly, circulated the mobile number of Prakash Jain, whom he described as the kingpin of the oil mafia. Khadse also claimed that Jain was regularly in touch with Rajendra Ahirwar, private secretary of former state minister Anil Deshmukh.

“Why else would Jain, a regular offender, call Ahirwar so often? The phone calls were made to facilitate this racket,” said Khadse demanding an inquiry into the matter.

Rubbishing the allegations as blatant lie, Anil Deshmukh said he was open to any inquiry. “It all began when we seized a kerosene tanker owned by Sunil Bade and R G Lohar on December 15 last year as the duo is close to Khadse,” said Deshmukh.

The adulteration racket across the state made headlines when Yashwant Sonawane, Nasik additional collector, was set ablaze by the members of the oil mafia.