Pawar says charges against Munde ‘serious’, backs Malik

Mumbai, Jan 14 : NCP President Sharad Pawar on Thursday termed allegations against Minister Dhananjay Munde as “serious”, but gave a clean chit to Minister Nawab Malik by saying there are “no personal charges against him”.
Pawar’s reactions to the media came after the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) was mired in controversy as Munde was accused of rape by a woman and Malik’s son-in-law arrested in a drugs case by Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).
“Munde came and presented his version of the incident. The charges appear to be of a serious nature. I will apprise the party’s senior leaders about it. A decision will soon be taken in the matter,” Pawar said without revealing his cards.
“There are no personal charges against Malik. He is a senior leader with a clean image. We are confident that the central agency will do proper investigation in the matter. We will wait for its report before taking further steps,” the former Union Minister added.
Emerging from a meeting with senior leaders, NCP state President Jayant Patil said that the woman had allegedly threatened and blackmailed Munde, who has complained to the Mumbai Police and also the Bombay High Court.
“Though the allegations are of a serious nature, the facts of the case also need to be considered. He has informed the party about it a year ago… the police will do its job. There was no discussion on Munde’s resignation,” Patil said.