The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) offer of unconditional outside support to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for government formation in Maharashtra has prompted allegations that it is dictated by the party’s desire to keep the corruption cases against it at bay.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) had recently asked for permission for an open inquiry against former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and senior leader Sunil Tatkare in connection with the irrigation scam. NCP leader Chhagan Bhujal also faces charges of irregularities in connection with the construction of Maharashtra Sadan in Delhi during his tenure as Public Works Minister.
“The file on the ACB inquiry never came to me which means it is still pending before the government or the Governor,” said former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, who had openly spoken of a deal between the BJP and NCP in the run-up to the polls.
'Views vindicated'
Mr. Chavan now says his views are vindicated. “The deal between the NCP and BJP was clear when they broke their alliance with us just minutes after the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance broke. Then it was clear that some political compulsion led them to withdraw from the government and pave the way for Governor’s rule in the crucial last weeks of electioneering. They handed over control of the State to the BJP,” he told The Hindu .
' No quid pro quo '
Even before the results were out, the NCP had declared that it would play a decisive role in government formation. However, NCP leader Praful Patel has denied that its offer of support to the BJP had any connection with the charges against his party. “There is no unholy nexus or quid pro quo. These are just rumours and allegations,” he said.
The NCP will also have to explain its support to the BJP after having claimed it will not support a non-secular formation. And how it has reconciled to coming under severe attack by the BJP during the campaign as a “Naturally Corrupt Party.”
“This was an unusual election because all parties contested alone. Everyone targeted the other. Our position is only dictated by our desire for a stable government. We are not asking to be part of the government,” said Mr. Patel.
