#Maharashtra : After Ajit Pawar’s Dramatic Switch, Congress Targets BJP ; Says It’s Washing Machine Operations Have Resumed

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Opposition parties have lashed out at the BJP after NCP leader Ajit Pawar and eight others were inducted into the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government, saying the ruling party’s “washing machine” has resumed its operations and it can no longer talk about fighting corruption as it has joined hands with tainted leaders.

Ajit Pawar, who split the NCP and took oath as the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, said his party decided to join the BJP-Shive Sena government for the development of the country and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.

Reacting to the development, Congress general secretary in charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh said, “Clearly the BJP’s washing machine has resumed its operations. A number of new entrants into the BJP-led alliance in Maharashtra today had been facing serious corruption charges with ED, CBI and Income Tax authorities after them. Now they have all got a clean chit.” The Congress will intensify its efforts to free Maharashtra from the clutches of the BJP, Ramesh asserted.

Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal, told ANI “PM Modi made a big allegation recently against the NCP leaders for corruption and now we saw this drama. It is a clear sponsored game of ED and their agencies. It will not affect MVA. We will fight against BJP more aggressively. This is not going to affect opposition unity, this is NCP’s issue. Sharad Pawar is the tallest leader of the party and he will be able to handle the situation. Some leaders changing the party does not mean that the supporters of the party and other members will go with them”

.” Our party has not supported the decision taken by Ajit Pawar, it is his personal decision…he needs to remember one thing, NCP belongs to Sharad Pawar…this party was built and brought to this level by him…all those who betrayed us today got their face because of Sharad Pawar…if they think that they can wipe out him and ruin NCP, they’re making a mistake…”: Clyde Crasto, National Spokesperson, NCP told ANI