Sanjay Patil is a BJP Lok Sabha MP from Sangli, Maharashtra.
Mumbai:
A BJP MP in Maharashtra on Sunday garnered much attention by saying that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) will not follow him as he is a BJP MP. “Since I am a BJP MP, the ED will not come after me,” Sanjay Patil, who represents the Sangli Lok Sabha constituency, said at a function.
Mr Patil’s remarks come at a time when the opposition has accused the Center of targeting its leaders and using investigative agencies to settle political accounts.
Mr Patil is not the first BJP member to make such remarks.
Earlier this month, his party colleague in Maharashtra, Harshvardhan Patil – who had joined the BJP from the Congress – claimed he was falling asleep as “no inquiries” were made against him after joining the party.
“We also had to go to BJP. He (referring to someone from the opposition sitting next to him on the stage) asked why I joined BJP. I told him to ask his leader why I joined BJP. …everything is comfortable and peaceful (in the BJP). I sleep soundly because there is no questioning,” Harshvardhan Patil was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
After his remarks attracted much attention, the four-time MLA from Maharashtra’s Indapur later claimed that his remarks were misinterpreted.
He told the media, “I made a statement when I went to Maval for the inauguration of a hotel the day before yesterday. That statement is being misinterpreted, so I am here to clarify.”
Mr Patil said he joined the BJP because he was denied a ticket that was promised.
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