Rahul Gandhi questions timing as ED names Sharad Pawar in bank scam

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday has come out in support of NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) stalwart Shar Pawar after he was named in ECIR (FIR) filed by  ED in Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank scam case. In tweet, Rahul Gandhi alleged that Shar Pawar is latest Opposition 'targeted by government'. He furr questioned timing of ED actions, linking it with upcoming Maharashtra elections, ding that it reeks of "political opportunism".

Re Rahul Gandhi's tweet here:

RE | Shar Pawar goes to ED office, Section 144 in parts of South Mumbai

Shar Pawar to go to ED office

With NCP chief going to ED office in Mumbai for questioning in case, police have imposed Section 144 of CrPC outside ED office at Ballard Pier, along with or parts area. He h, on September 25, confirmed that he will be visiting ED office for questioning in bank scam case. With NCP workers staging protests in Mumbai in light of development, Mumbai Police imposed Section 144 to prohibit movement of groups of people. Taking to Twitter, Shar Pawar h also urged NCP cre to t gar near ED office premise and cooperate with police and ncies. 

RE | Shar Pawar tweets confirming his visit to ED office on Friday

What is case?

On September 24, NCP Chief Shar Pawar, his nephew Ajit Pawar and ors were named by ED in its ECIR filed in  Rs 25,000 crore Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank (MSCB) scam case. Officials claimed that  Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) has been registered by central ncy under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). scam involves allegations that n top executives i.e. chairman, MDs, directors, CEOs, manrial staff of bank and office bearers and directors of Shakhar Karkhanas (cooperative sugar factories), Soot Girnis and or processing units were given loans in a fraudulent manner by MSC bank. It has been alleged that in process of loan sanctions, several illegalities were committed. 

Maharashtra Assembly elections

Shar Pawar is in trouble weeks ahe of Maharashtra assembly elections. With elections weeks away, NCP leer Shar Pawar h revealed his party's seat share alliance with Congress party in Maharashtra. Pawar h tweeted to say that both NCP and Congress will contest 125 seats each in Maharashtra Assembly polls. He also said that remaining 38 seats will be given to smaller allies across state. Elections in state will be held on October 21, along with Haryana in a single phase, whereas counting of votes will take place on October 24 for both states.

RE | Shar Pawar: "I will go to ED office & co-operate with investigation"

RE | NCP supremo Shar Pawar in dock; here's why he's named in ED FIR