"Want to discuss functioning of ED, CBI": Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Ajit Pawar, Chandrababu Naidu

New Delhi: Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Monday expressed concern over the clean chits given to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu in high-profile cases and said that they want to discuss the functioning of ED and CBI.
"I have moved adjournment motions about the two 'washing machine' stories - where Ajit Pawar (Maharashtra Deputy CM) and Chandrababu Naidu (Andhra Pradesh CM) have been cleaned by PM Modi. Therefore, we want to discuss the functioning of ED and CBI," Manickam Tagore told ANI.
Earlier today, Manickam Tagore in the adjournment motion notice said that "Hon'ble Speaker Sir, I rise to express concern over the clean chits given to Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu in high-profile cases. The IT Benami Property case involving Rs 1000 crore and the Rs 371 crore Skill Development scam raise doubts about the fairness of our investigative agencies."
Tagore further alleged the Modi Government cleared Ajit Pawar's name, while the ED gave a clean chit to Chandrababu Naidu.
"We demand to know the criteria used and whether due process was followed, as the lack of proof cited only deepens questions regarding the integrity of the investigations," he added.
Manickam Tagore said that ED and CBI's "credibility is at stake," and requested the Government to provide a detailed explanation for these decisions.
"This House expresses concern over the clean chits given to Ajit Pawar and Chandrababu Naidu and demands a detailed explanation from the Government," he said.
Earlier, the Income Tax (I-T) Department cleared properties valued at over Rs 1,000 crore that were seized in 2021 from Ajit Pawar and his family. The I-T department had previously conducted raids on several properties linked to Ajit Pawar and his family on October 7, 2021.
In October this year, the Enforcement Directorate gave CM Chandrababu Naidu a clean chit in connection with an alleged Rs 371 crore skill development corporation scam.