All allegations baseless, says Yashwant Jadhav

MUMBAI: A day after the Income Tax (I-T) Department reportedly found discrepancies in the election affidavit filed by Shiv Sena legislator Yamini Jadhav for 2019 Assembly polls, her husband and Sena leader Yashwant Jadhav said the allegations were politically motivated ahead of BMC election. He added they have not received any communication from any central agency so far. The Shiv Sena has maintained silence on the issue.

The I-T department may submit its findings to the Election

Commission and seek her disqualification, which can become a major embarrassment for the Sena. I-T department has found that a shell company was used to launder ₹15 crore by Jadhavs. The findings showed as per the affidavit filed by Jadhav, she availed an unsecured loan including one from Pradhan Dealers Pvt Ltd of ₹1 crore. It said Pradhan Dealers was a Kolkata-based shell company.

Yashwant Jadhav said it was a political conspiracy to defame Jadhav and him ahead of BMC elections. “So far, we have not got any notice from any agency, nor have they contacted us. If the agencies get in touch, we will speak to them. This is a political conspiracy against my wife and me. All allegations against us are baseless. We are not connected to any shell companies,” he said. When asked, Sena chief spokesperson Arvind Sawant said he was unaware of the issue.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya launched an attack. “I want to directly ask Yamini and Yashwant Jadhav if they will speak on their financial dealings with Pradhan Dealers Pvt Ltd. The Jadhav family has transferred money to two companies in UAE. But this money was deposited in their accounts by Pradhan Dealers,” Somaiya said.

Reacting to the allegations, Yashwant said, “This is politically motivated as BMC elections are approaching soon.”

Despite repeated attempts, Jadhav could not be contacted. Yashwant said, “She is attending to her ailing mother, who is in a critical condition.”