Allegations of land grab have surfaced against Maharashtra water resources minister Girish Mahajan and state party president Raosaheb Danve after the ouster of senior BJP minister Eknath Khadse over charges of conflict of interest in a land deal.
Mahajan is facing charges in connection with the purchase of 1.99 hectares of agricultural land in Jalgaon, acquired for setting up a private sugar factory Tapi Purna Sugar and Allied Products that is promoted by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders led by Khadse.
Opposition Congress and activist Anjali Damania allege that Mahajan has not listed the land in his election affidavit, where one is bound by oath to reveal all assets. They also allege that the land brought by him is classified as ‘maharwatan’— land grants given by the government to Scheduled Caste families that can’t be transferred without prior permission.
The water resources minister confirmed that some land was bought in his name for a factory promoted by Khadse. On charges that he concealed the information in his affidavits, Mahajan said he had “forgotten” to mention it.
“There is no reason for me to hide purchase of just 5 acres of land worth Rs 1.11 lakh at the time. I was under the impression that this land was in the name of the factory. Also, the allegation that this was ‘maharwatan’ land is false. The title of this land was clear and we didn’t force any farmers to sell it...” Mahajan said.
{{/usCountry}}“There is no reason for me to hide purchase of just 5 acres of land worth Rs 1.11 lakh at the time. I was under the impression that this land was in the name of the factory. Also, the allegation that this was ‘maharwatan’ land is false. The title of this land was clear and we didn’t force any farmers to sell it...” Mahajan said.
{{/usCountry}}Danve is facing charges of having taken over a plot reserved for marginal land owners in his home town, Jalna, and replacing their names with those of his family members. He has also built a house on the plot.
“The allegations are baseless. The plot that is being referred to was brought by my father 25 years ago after the owner sold it to us,” Danve said.