Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, April 6: Shiv sena leader Sanjay Raut, accused former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya of financial mismanagement on Wednesday, stating that while he raised nearly Rs 50 crore from the public as part of a campaign to save the INS Vikrant, the money was not presented to the state exchequer.
At a news conference in the national capital, the Shiv Sena leader asked that the Maharashtra government investigate Somaiya, while also stating that the case should be investigated by the CBI, the Income Tax Department, and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
“In the 1971 war against Pakistan, the Indian Navy played a key role, including the INS Vikrant. When the situation of the INS Vikrant got bad and it got difficult to maintain, there were campaigns for turning it into a museum,” Raut said.
“There were campaigns across the country for saving the INS Vikrant. All party leaders from Maharashtra used to come to Delhi and meet the then Defence Minister AK Antony or the Prime Minister. Kirit Somaiya used to be part of the campaign,” he added.
Raut claimed that more over Rs 50 crore had been raised for the INS Vikrant, however Raj Bhawan records show that not a single penny had been paid. ‘
“While the amount may be less than the Bofors, Agusta Westlands, or Rafale frauds, it is related with the nation’s security,” the Shiv Sena leader said.
