Shiv Sena (UBT) accuses CM Devendra Fadnavis of 'shielding' Ajit Pawar’s son in Pune land scam

Mumbai: Mounting an offensive against Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis-led Maha Yuti dispensation in the run up to the Nagpur winter season, the Shiv Sena (UBT) has accused him of protecting his deputy Ajit Pawar, whose son is embroiled in a land scam in Pune.

Besides, he also offered to step out and extend outside support to the BJP-led government, which also involves the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

The charges were made by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve, who is a former Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, and was among those who had exposed the Pune land scam.

“The government was sparing no effort to save the Pawar father-son duo in the case,” alleged Danve.

"I heard that during a meeting held at Varsha (the Chief Minister’s official residence in Malabar Hill), Ajit Pawar furiously offered to step out of the government and extend outside support," he said.

He added, “Parth Pawar should not be treated leniently. He cannot be treated as a small kid. He has contested Lok Sabha elections (unsuccessfully) earlier (in 2019 from Maval).”

"Parth Pawar cannot be saved without the direct intervention of the CM in this case," he said.

Danve said that there seems to be a contradiction between the state Revenue department's stance and that of Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule regarding the payment of Stamp Duty involved in the land deal.

Bawankule, a former BJP chief, however, denied the charges.