Ajit Pawar hits back at Murlidhar Mohol, says everyone knows who helped a goon flee the country

Pawar said those criticising NCP should first look at themselves. (File Photo)

Taking on BJP over criticising NCP for fielding candidates with criminal background in the Pune Municipal Corporation election, NCP chief and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar took a jibe at Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol saying that everyone knows who helped accused Nilesh Ghaiwal flee the country after being booked in serious offence.

Mohol had criticised Ajit Pawar-led NCP for giving tickets to accused in jail for murder cases to contest in elections. “Guardian Minister (Ajit Pawar) who speaks publicly to end criminal activities in the city should have checked the part list of candidates as it includes people involved in serious crimes. All political parties should keep criminals out of electoral politics,” Mohol had said while taking on NCP.

Those fielded by NCP have not been proven guilty and are only accused in the cases, he said. “There was also corruption allegation against me for Rs 70,000 crore. I am sitting next to those who made allegations against me. It is only after proven guilty that the person can be considered to be involved in crime…”

The BJP has fielded candidates who belong to family of persons booked in serious crimes, said Pawar.

The NCP chief also said that the civic problems of city increased during BJP’s rule in the city due to failure of the local leadership who controlled the civic body.

“The previous elected body led by BJP failed to address civic issues and couldn’t meet the needs of public,” he said adding traffic issue aggravated, air and river pollution increased while citizens fell sick.

“We are in alliance in the state but now contesting against each other in civic body,” said Pawar.

In last nine years, there was lack of proper planning of development, lack of vision and control over administration that affected the development of city, he said.