Sharad Pawar meets PM Modi, flags issue of Central agencies targeting MVA leaders

Meet comes a day after ED attached assets worth ₹11.15 crore belonging to Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut’s wife

A day after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached assets worth ₹11.15 crore belonging to the wife of Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, National Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday.

Mr. Pawar called on Mr. Modi along with NCP’s Lok Sabha member from Lakshwadeep, P.P. Mohammad Faizal, who raised issues relating to his constituency.

“On what basis was action taken against Sanjay Raut? This is injustice. What was the provocation? Just because he is making some statements and criticisms does not mean action should be taken against him. What was the need,” the NCP chief told a press conference.

“It is our duty to bring to the Prime Minister’s notice the injustice being done to a journalist and a senior Parliamentarian,” he added.

The NCP Supremo said that apart from Central agencies targeting the Sena leader, he also mentioned the Maharashtra government’s proposal regarding nominations to the State Legislative Council not being cleared by Governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari.

On Tuesday, the ED attached assets worth more than ₹11.15 crore in the name of Mr. Raut’s wife, two of his associates in a money-laundering case linked to certain land deals.

Mr. Rawat, who often acts a bridge between the NCP and the Congress in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), has been one of the most vocal critics of the Modi government.