ED notice to Thackeray aide; Sena unperturbed
MUMBAI: After a brief lull, the tussle between former allies Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has re-commenced, with the central agencies “targeting” a minister of the Uddhav Thackeray-led government. This time, the situation is trickier as the minister in question is Anil Parab, who is in Thackeray’s inner circle and among his few close confidants within the Sena. However, Sena leadership is unperturbed by the development, party insiders claimed.
Since last year, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has sent notices to Sena leaders, including legislator Pratap Sarnaik, MP Sanjay Raut’s wife and MP Bhawana Gawali. Also, the BJP leaders have been targeting people close to Thackeray, including Milind Narvekar.
Parab, who was served a notice by the ED on Sunday, did not appear before the officials on Tuesday citing prior engagements. Party insiders said the minister has responded to the ED notice through his lawyers and sought more time as the notice was served less than 48 hours before the time he was asked to remain present.
A Sena leader said the action against him was expected after the Maharashtra government took action against union minister Narayan Rane last week. When asked if Sena leaders are on the radar of investigation agencies, Raut said, “If the ED or BJP think that we are enemies of this country, they can continue to keep us as targets.”
Parab is privy to financial and legal issues of the party and so has been targeted to get to Thackeray, Sena insiders said. Before the ED notice, Parab faced allegations from dismissed police inspector Sachin Vaze, who alleged the minister had instructed him to collect ₹50 crore from a trust facing an inquiry to close the probe. Allegations were also levelled against the transport minister by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya over a land deal for a resort in Ratnagiri district. Parab has already refuted the allegations.
“Over the years, Parab has become one of the key persons in the party whom Uddhav ji has entrusted him with many responsibilities, including the by-poll where Sena candidate trounced Rane and 2017 BMC elections. Being a lawyer, he also looks at the legal issues and was also involved in the election affidavits for Aaditya and Uddhav ji,” a senior Sena leader.
Narvekar also faced allegations of environmental violations to construct a sea-side bungalow in Ratnagiri’s Murud area. He demolished the sea-side bungalow on August 22. Raut said, “This has a political colour and there is political pressure [behind such actions]. BJP leaders have put out a list of 10 leaders from Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress who will be summoned by the ED next.” He was referring to Somaiya’s tweet on August 30, where he listed the “Great 11 of Thackeray government”, including Sarnaik, Narvekar, Parab, Gawali, Kishori Pednekar, Ravindra Waikar, Yashwant Jadhav, Yamini Jadhav. Somaiya named Anil Deshmukh, Chhagan Bhujbal and Jitendra Awhad on the tweet.
With five months to go for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls, Sena is expecting such moves by the Centre. Political analyst Surendra Jondhale said, “The BJP wants to break Thackeray’s strength.”
The Sena, however, does not have a plan to counter the BJP. In the past, Sena has handled the Vaze issue and allegations against former minister Sanjay Rathod poorly. Another functionary said, “The wait-andwatch approach does not always help in times of social media.”
State BJP chief spokesperson Keshav Upadhye said, “The agencies function independently. If they are not involved in any wrongdoing, they should not be afraid.”