- The Enforcement Directorate’s recent raids on the premises of Baramati Agro Private Limited have sparked intense political reactions in Maharashtra. At the helm of this company is Rohit Pawar, a member of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the grandnephew of veteran politician Sharad Pawar. These actions by the enforcement agency have escalated tensions between the ruling NCP and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state.
The NCP’s Sharad Pawar faction swiftly retaliated, attributing these raids to the BJP’s perceived insecurity stemming from Rohit Pawar’s recent involvement in the Yuva Sangharsh Yatra. Clyde Crasto, the national spokesperson for the Sharad Pawar group within the NCP, vehemently condemned the Enforcement Directorate’s actions. He stood by Rohit Pawar, asserting that these searches aimed at Rohit would only serve to strengthen his resolve. Crasto further suggested that the BJP’s apparent discomfort was a direct result of the impact the Yuva Sangharsh Yatra had made, resonating with the people of Maharashtra.
In contrast, Kirit Somaiya, a prominent leader from the BJP, has called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the allegations surrounding Rohit Pawar and Baramati Agro. Somaiya emphasized concerns regarding the acquisition of the Kannad cooperative sugar factory. Allegations have surfaced, accusing Baramati Agro of acquiring the factory at a significantly undervalued price of ₹50 crore through a purportedly manipulated auction involving the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank.
The Enforcement Directorate’s search operation extended across six locations in Baramati, Pune, Pimpri, and Aurangabad. This move is part of a broader investigation into potential money laundering activities connected to the alleged Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank scam.
Rohit Pawar, aged 38, holds the position of an NCP MLA representing the Karjat-Jamkhed constituency in the Maharashtra assembly. Despite being a first-time legislator, Pawar has actively engaged in public initiatives. Last year, he garnered attention for spearheading a march from Pune to Nagpur, shedding light on the issues faced by the state’s youth. His absence during these recent events is due to a family vacation abroad. Rohit Pawar’s familial connections extend to being the nephew of Supriya Sule and Ajit Pawar, both prominent figures within the NCP and Maharashtra’s political landscape.
The probe into Baramati Agro primarily centers around allegations concerning fund diversion and the deposit of earnest funds by a company involved in bidding for the acquisition of a struggling cooperative sugar factory within Maharashtra. According to reports from PTI, these allegations form the crux of the ongoing investigation initiated by the Enforcement Directorate.
This series of events has further heightened political tensions in Maharashtra, with both the NCP and the BJP taking firm stances. The spotlight on Rohit Pawar, given his familial ties and political position, has made this case not just about an individual but has been contextualized within the broader political landscape of the state.
The unfolding narrative around the Enforcement Directorate’s actions and the subsequent reactions from the political spheres have captured the attention of both the public and the media in Maharashtra, drawing focus on the intricate interplay between politics, allegations of financial impropriety, and familial legacies within the state’s political fabric.