Targeted because I am an OBC leader: Chhagan Bhujbal

Senior Nationalist Congress Party leader Chhagan Bhujbal on Tuesday alleged that he was being targeted by the Bharatiya Janata Party government as he belonged to a backward community and because some people were trying to settle scores with him.

Bhujbal's nephew Samir was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case in Mumbai on Monday after the agency conducted multiple searches in connection with its probe against Bhujbals and others.

In a video released from the US, Bhujbal alleged that he is being targeted by the BJP government, because he is a leader of the Other Backward Classes.

"Some people are trying to settle scores with me for the fight that I have put up for the cause," the former Maharashtra deputy chief minister said.

Samir's arrest was preceded by multiple searches in Mumbai conducted by the ED in connection with its money laundering probe against Chhagan Bhujbal and others.

The Union government, in the winter session of Parliament in December, had said that Prevention of Money Laundering Act investigations against Chhagan Bhujbal and others have showed that entities, which have subscribed to companies controlled by the politician's family were "dubious" and their transactions were done only on paper.

Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha, in a written reply in Lok Sabha on December 18, had said a case has been registered by the ED against Bhujbal, his family members including his Member of Legislative Assembly son Pankaj, ex-Member of Parliament nephew Samir, a firm called Ms K S Chamankar Enterprises and others.

"I am in the US to attend a conference by the US Congress. I came to know my nephew is arrested, and that they are behind my son Pankaj as well. Also once I reach Mumbai they will be targeting me as well. What are the reasons?" Bhujbal said.

He said that the Maharashtra Sadan that came up in Mumbai was build on a B-O-T basis under the chairmanship of an Infrastructure committee headed by the chief minister.

"The decision was taken after a lot of discussion. There is no irregularity and even officials from the present government have seconded that. But still BJP MP Kirit Somiya is making allegations that there is a scam," he said.

He alleged that his children were running legitimate business, but some people were working in a direction to destroy the Bhujbal family.

"This is because I am a fighter and on the other hand, through my organisation -- Mahatma Phule Samata Parishad -- I have been working for the backward classes all over the country. And hence, some are keen to settle scores with me. And that's why I am being sacrificed. But, I am sure that I will get justice," Bhujbal said.