Farmers Movement Archive

Poll papers: Sharad Pawar gets I-T notice, says govt loves us

MUMBAI: NCP president Sharad Pawar on Tuesday disclosed he had received a notice from the Income Tax department seeking additional information and verification on the affidavits filed by him during the 2014 and 2020 Rajya Sabha elections. A week ago, the I-T department had sent similar notices to chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, his son, tourism minister Aaditya Thackeray and Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule, an MP from Baramati. Taking a swipe at the BJP-led government, he said, “I’m happy the I-T department has sent me a notice. It reflects the government’s love for politicians like me.” “I will submit my reply within the stipulated period else there is a fine of Rs 10,000 per day. We feel BJP is pursuing its agenda against political opponents by sending I-T notices,” he added. Pawar said the notice has been sent on the basis of a report submitted by the Election Commission of India. “The I-T department had acted on the basis of findings submitted by the ECI,” Pawar said. In the 2014 affidavit, Pawar had assets of Rs 32.1 crore, while in 2020, it was Rs 32.7 crore. The NCP supremo expressed strong displeasure over what he termed the indifferent attitude of RS deputy chairperson Harivansh when the House took up the agriculture bills. “I have never seen such a presiding officer. The presiding officer should be impartial. It was found he did not allow the Opposition members to submit their views. He did not even listen to the rules mentioned by them,” he said. Pawar said when opposition members found there was no scope for justice, they entered the well and were unilaterally suspended for the rest of the session.

The Times of India

2020-09-23

Mumbai