“Washing Machine BJP”: Criticism After ED Withdrew Plea Against Chhagan Bhujbal (image-instagram/chhaganbhujbalofficial)
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) withdrew its petition against NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) leader Chhagan Bhujbal in the Bombay High Court on Monday. Chhagan Bhujbal currently holds a cabinet position in the Maharashtra government.
As per the print report, at least three of the cabinet ministers in Maharashtra’s Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government, Ajit Pawar, Chhagan Bhujpal and Hasan Mushrif faced a probe by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in cases linked to money laundering. On Monday, the petition against Chhagan has been withdrawn. This move invited criticism largely calling it as ‘washing machine BJP’.
Many alleged that BJP is now washing once an opposition leader’s scam after joining the BJP alliance by using their usual technique. An Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Karnataka state spokesperson posted citing the “chronology of washing machine”.
Isn”t @narendramodi corrupt?
Chronology of Washing Machine:
🔹Mar 2016: ED filed its first chargesheet against Chhagan Bhujbal in connection with the Rs 870 crore Maharashtra Sadan scam
🔹Dec 2017: ED attaches Rs20 crore assets in Chhagan Bhujbal PMLA case
🔹July 2023:… pic.twitter.com/cA9qM8aglk
— Ashok Mruthyunjaya (@Ashokmruthyu) December 12, 2023
A retired civil servant, NN Ojha wrote, “The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has withdrawn its petition in the Bombay High Court against NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) leader Chhagan Bhujbal and his nephew Sameer Bhujbal, seeking the quashing of a 2018 order in their favor. Washing machine works so well”.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has withdrawn its petition in the Bombay High Court against NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) leader Chhagan Bhujbal and his nephew Sameer Bhujbal, seeking the quashing of a 2018 order in their favor.
Washing machine works so well https://t.co/WS7qaZhVjz— NN Ojha (@nnojha) December 12, 2023
Another netizen said, “Bhujbhal has gone through the washing machine”.
Bhujbal and his family members were arrested on money-laundering charges to the Maharashtra Sadan scam while he was in opposition. Later he was given a bail in May 2018 by the high court. During September and October this year, the ED informed the court that they couldn’t locate the petition against the Bhujbals. On November 29, ED requested permission to withdraw the petition. Bhujbal’s son and nephew recently sought discharge in the ED case, arguing for their exoneration from the offense, but the court rejected the claim.
