Maharashtra: Supriya Sule Criticizes Alleged Misuse Of Probe Agencies
Maharashtra: Supriya Sule Criticizes Alleged Misuse Of Probe Agencies
Amid rising political tensions during the Maharashtra elections, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and Member of Parliament Supriya Sule has raised concerns about the alleged misuse of central investigative agencies against opposition leaders. Sule’s remarks followed revelations in journalist Rajdeep Sardesai’s recent book, *2024: The Election That Surprised India*, which suggested that NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal joined the Ajit Pawar faction and allied with the BJP-led Mahayuti in 2023 to avoid Enforcement Directorate (ED) scrutiny.
Sule, addressing the situation, noted her repeated assertions in Parliament about what she views as an “unconstitutional” strategy targeting opposition parties. “Rival parties are being dismantled by an invisible power in an unconstitutional way,” Sule stated. She further alleged that a majority of cases pursued by the ED and Income Tax Department (I-T) have been directed at opposition figures, suggesting that the ruling party is leveraging these agencies to consolidate power, a tactic she referred to as placing opposition leaders through a “washing machine.”
According to Sule, even women leaders have not been exempt, with figures such as Rajni Indulkar, Nita Patil, and Vijaya Patil allegedly facing extended I-T raids. She also cited the experiences of political families, including those of Bhujbal, Anil Deshmukh, Nawab Malik, and Sanjay Raut, as examples of opposition members facing undue pressure.
In response, Bhujbal has categorically denied any statements attributed to him about joining the ruling alliance to evade investigation. He clarified that the case against him had been closed during his tenure in the previous administration and emphasized that his current alignment with the BJP was motivated by development goals for his constituency. “I haven’t read the book, but I suspect this narrative may be an attempt to distract during election season,” he said, adding that he would seek legal recourse if needed.
Bhujbal, who had previously faced arrest over alleged money laundering in a case related to Maharashtra Sadan’s construction in Delhi, was granted bail in 2018. He described the current claims as unfounded, noting, “My case was resolved when I was part of the Uddhav Thackeray-led government.”
The ongoing debate over the use of investigative agencies has intensified as Maharashtra’s election draws near, highlighting a contentious issue with significant political implications.
