Talk of corruption has started in short time of BJP rule: Sharad Pawar

MUMBAI: NCP chief Sharad Pawar today took potshots at BJP, referring to the controversies surrounding its leaders at the Centre and in the states.

"It was not expected that in such a short time one will hear a public discourse about this (corruption by) their (BJP's) important colleagues (leaders)," Pawar said, speaking to reporters in Aurangabad.

"The picture coming out in national media about 'three-four sisters' (BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj, Vasundhara Raje and Pankaja Munde) is a matter of serious concern. I am sure people will take a note of this," Pawar said.

While Munde, Women and Child Welfare Minister in Maharashtra, is facing allegations over purchases of Rs 206 crore made for her department, External Affairs Minister Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje are under fire for links with the former IPL boss Lalit Modi.

"One also cannot ignore the fact that within 12 months (of Narendra Modi government coming to power), BJP veterans like L K Advani and Yashwant Sinha have come to a certain conclusion," Pawar said.

"Everyone should take a serious note of it (their remarks). Even the ruling politicians should also take note," Pawar said.

In Maharashtra, the Devendra Fadnavis government on Wednesday was hit by the first major allegation of scam after Congress accused Pankaja, daughter of BJP stalwart late Gopinath Munde, of clearing purchases worth Rs 206 crore on a single day without inviting tenders.