Maharashtra: Parth’s demand for CBI probe not worth a penny, says Sharad Pawar

MUMBAI: NCP president Sharad Pawar on Wednesday publicly reprimanded his grand-nephew Parth for demanding a CBI probe into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, saying Parth was immature. “Parth’s demand for a CBI probe is immature, his demand is not worth a penny. I do not take cognizance of his statements,” Pawar said.
The NCP chief further said, “I have full faith in Mumbai police. I have been observing their performance for more than five decades. It was wrong to demand a CBI probe. If after completing a comprehensive probe, someone is keen for a probe by CBI, I will not oppose the demand.” Pawar’s statement is being viewed as a loud and stern warning not only for Parth but also for Parth’s father and Pawar Senior’s nephew, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar.
Ajit Pawar had raised a banner of revolt last year by joining hands with BJP. The Devendra Fadnavis-Ajit Pawar government lasted only 80 hours.
Asked about Aaditya Thackeray’s name cropping up in the Rajput case, Pawar said, “I do not know with what intention the name of the Thackerays is being dragged into the controversy. Aaditya is not even remotely associated with the suicide case.”
A few hours after Pawar’s statement, state NCP president and water resources minister Jayant Patil said there was no dispute in the Pawar family. Significantly, following Pawar’s statement, Ajit Pawar, Patil and Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule had a meeting with Pawar at the latter’s house. “The meeting had nothing to do with Pawar’s observations. The meeting was decided on Tuesday and accordingly, we met on Wednesday. We discussed several issues,” Patil told mediapersons.
Patil said as Pawar is head of the NCP family, he has given advice (to Parth). “During our meeting, there was no discussion on observations made by Parth and Ajit Pawar is not hurt by Pawar’s observations. Parth has a right to express his views, and the party will not call for an explanation from him,” Patil said.
At a juncture when Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena had all opposed the demand for a CBI probe into Rajput’s death, Parth had knocked at the doors of NCP leader and state home minister Anil Deshmukh on July 21 to ask for a CBI inquiry. Parth had said that in view of sentiments expressed by youths and national sentiment, the state government should entrust the probe to the CBI.
Parth Pawar also created a flutter when he hailed the foundation stone- laying ceremony for a Ram temple in Ayodhya on August 5.