The Hindu : Bhujbal will return: Pawar

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 26, 2003

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Bhujbal will return: Pawar

By Our Special Correspondent

MUMBAI Dec. 25. The former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Chhagan Bhujbal, had good words said about him by his party boss, Sharad Pawar, today. "A long-time fighter and result-oriented person, he will return. All allegations about him will be proved wrong and the truth will be out," the NCP leader said.

Talking to mediapersons hours before Mr. Bhujbal's successor was named, Mr. Pawar said that he too had been targeted by the Opposition in the past, alleging that he had links with underworld don, Dawood Ibrahim.

Contrary to news reports, Mr. Pawar said, "I did not ask him to resign. Mr. Bhujbal himself offered to quit. All reports and suggestions to the contrary are not factually correct."

Mr. Bhujbal had resigned on Tuesday owning moral responsibility for the attack by NCP workers on the offices of Zee TV here, after the network had telecast a spoof in which he, the Opposition and Abdul Karim Telgi were featured.

In the event, if the Special Investigation Team probing the fake stamp paper racket questioned Mr. Bhujbal, accused of being involved in the scam by the Opposition, it was not an indication of guilt, Mr. Pawar said. Anyone could be asked to help a probe.

Yesterday, in an emotional presentation before NCP office-bearers and legislators, Mr. Bhujbal had spoken about how he was "being targeted" and had assured them that he was not involved in the racket

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