Discussions with Eknath Shinde positive: Sanjay Raut
Mumbai(PTI): Even as rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde along with some party MLAs have moved to Guwahati in Assam, Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Wednesday said he has been holding discussions with Shinde and the talks are "positive".
Talking to reporters in Mumbai, Raut said Shinde has not put forth any conditions before the party, and that discussions are also underway with other Sena leaders who are with Shinde.
Raut expressed confidence that Shinde and other rebel MLAs will be back into the party fold, and said their misunderstandings will be addressed .
It is difficult for him (Shinde) to leave the party and it will be difficult for us (the Sena) to leave him. Our dialogue is on. We spoke for an hour in the morning. Talks are also on with the MLAs who are with Shinde, Raut said.
Our talks with him are taking place in a cordial manner and they have been positive, the Shiv Sena's chief spokesperson said.
Asked about the rebel MLAs moving to Guwahati, Raut said Let them go. Guwahati has a nice forest (nearby) Kaziranga (national park). The MLAs should see the country, this will help them understand it.
Raut said Shinde has not put forth any terms and conditions before the party.
He is a Shiv Sainik and it appears that he will stay in the Shiv Sena and spend his life in the party, Raut said, adding that there in no bitterness between the two sides.
Shinde and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray share a strong bond, he said. Raut said Thackeray will also talk to NCP chief Sharad Pawar, the chief architect of the state's ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
ED arrests Jharkhand minister Alamgir Alam in money laundering case
Ranchi, May 15: The Enforcement Directorate Wednesday arrested Congress leader and Jharkhand Rural Development Minister Alamgir Alam in a money laundering case, official sources said.
The 70-year-old was taken into custody at the agency's zonal office here under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after about six hours of interrogation on the second day of questioning, the sources said.
He was grilled by the federal agency Tuesday for over nine hours and his statement was also recorded.
The agency had last week arrested Alam's personal secretary and state administrative service officer Sanjeev Kumar Lal (52) and the latter's domestic help Jahangir Alam (42) following the seizure of more than Rs 32 crore cash from a flat linked to them.
The money laundering investigation pertains to alleged irregularities and payment of "bribes" in the state rural development department.
While seeking the remand of the two arrested persons, the ED had informed a special PMLA court here that Lal collected "commission" on behalf of some influential people and that government officials from "top to bottom" in the rural department are involved in the alleged illegal cash payments nexus.
The total seizure of cash by the ED in this case has been recorded at around Rs 36.75 crore as the agency seized about Rs 3 crore from other locations including Rs 10.05 lakh from Lal's place and Rs 1.5 crore from a contractor's place.
