Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Minister Narhari Zirwal on Thursday denied allegations against him in the Mantralaya bribery case involving a clerk in his office, as the Opposition pressed for his resignation in the Legislative Council until the ongoing probe is completed, reported PTI.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on February 12 reportedly caught FDA clerk Rajendra Dherange allegedly accepting a Rs 35,000 bribe at Mantralaya, the state secretariat in south Mumbai.
Zirwal’s private secretary, Dr Ramdas Gade, was also relieved of his post and directed to report back to his parent department following a sting operation related to the bribery case.
Raising the issue in the Council, Congress leader Satej Patil of the Congress claimed that the ACB conducted a recce for two days before raiding the NCP minister’s office.
“The minister should not remain in his post until he is cleared of all charges and the ongoing probe is completed. The minister should resign,” Patil demanded in the Upper House, reported PTI.
Zirwal denies link to bribery case
Responding to the allegations, Zirwal maintained that he was in Delhi when Dherange was arrested and insisted he had no connection with the Mantralaya bribery case.
“I have nothing to do with this. I have never backed such tendencies and will not do so in the future either,” the NCP cabinet member told the Council while defending himself.
Zirwal further said that both Dherange and Gade have been repatriated to their parent cadre, as they were serving on deputation in his office.
However, Opposition members were not satisfied with his response and continued to demand his resignation. They later staged a walkout from the Council over the issue.
Opposition MLAs protest at Mumbai Vidhan Bhavan seeking Zirwal’s removal after Mantralaya bribery scandal
Maharashtra opposition legislators on Tuesday protested at Vidhan Bhavan, calling for FDA Minister Narhari Zirwal’s resignation following bribery allegations against his office staffer at Mantralaya.
Protesting MLAs from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) gathered on the steps of the legislature building ahead of the day`s proceedings, raising slogans against the BJP-led Mahayuti government, accusing it of shielding a “corrupt minister” and calling for immediate action following the arrest of an FDA clerk by the ACB on bribery charges earlier this month.
(With PTI inputs)
