It's BJP's taint, Sena has nothing to do with it: Arvind Sawant
Member of parliament and senior Shiv Sena leader Arvind Sawant seeks to distance his party from the current controversy in the BJP-led government in embroiled. Excerpts from an interview with dna's Kanchan Srivastava:
What is your first reaction over resignation of revenue minister Eknath Khadse?
When Sena-BJP were in power for the first time, our leader Balasaheb Thackeray made one thing very clear – If there are allegations and there is documentary evidence, the minister should resign and an inquiry must be conducted. The same rule applies to Khadse now. He is one of the senior-most leaders of BJP. We welcome his decision to quit. If the charges turn out to be false, he can return.
How do you view the charges against Khadse? Which one appears to be true, prima facie?
The Pune MIDC land case appears to be serious.
Don't you think that Dawood's call charges are also serious?
Let the inquiry take place. He needs to come out clean in all cases.
Reports say it was Sena's pressure that eventually worked against Khadse. Your comment.
This is not true. Sena has no role to play. We said nothing against him.
But Sena leader and industry minister Subhash Desai had given a statement in the very beginning that the land belonged to MIDC, even as its ownership was disputed.
He was asked about it, so he responded. He merely stated a fact.
Will such allegations dent BJP's image?
This is a major embarrassment for BJP. They have claimed to be a "party with difference". They talked so much against corruption before elections. Now they are facing the same charges.
Don't you think that the taint on BJP will also damage Sena, as you are the major alliance partner?
Not at all. Sena is a separate party. We are not accountable for the wrongdoings of BJP ministers. The common man knows it. Do you ever pose the same question to BJP leaders Ashish Shelar and Kirit Somaiya, who openly make allegations against the Sena-ruled municipal corporation?
Opposition parties are seeking resignation of Vinod Tawde, Pankaja Munde and other ministers who face charges. Do you echo their sentiments?
A probe against all of them must be done thoroughly. Moreover, where is the investigation of the irrigation scam of the previous government? The scam was said to be worth thousands of crores. But nothing has been done so far.