Patole alleges conspiracy to malign MVA government in Antilia case

Senior Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee leader Nana Patole on Wednesday alleged in Nagpur that there was a conspiracy to defame the then Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government over the Antilia case. Besides the Antilia case, he also targeted the state government over the Election Commission's SIR exercise and help for farmers.

Patole alleged that a fake narrative was created, with Sachin Waze and Param Bir Singh brought in, to defame the then MVA government. He claimed that events linked to the placing of an explosives-laden car outside Antilia and the death of Mansukh Hiren were used to destabilise that government.

Patole asked, if the gelatin used in the Antilia case had come from Nagpur, who the people supplying it were and who knew about it. He demanded an investigation into the availability of gelatin from Nagpur. According to Patole, the government had told the Assembly that the gelatin came from Nagpur. He asked who gave the gelatin from Nagpur and who was behind it. He also raised questions about the later death by drowning of the man who placed the car outside Antilia.

On Waze, Patole claimed that preparations for him to turn approver had been under way for some time. Meanwhile, on September 30, the Bombay High Court stayed until October 7 the bail granted to Waze by a special court in the Antilia bomb threat and Mansukh Hiren murder cases.

Patole also alleged that those in power had worked with police officers to defame Maharashtra. He raised questions about Param Bir Singh's present situation. He said that, amid talk of Waze turning approver, answers to old questions about the Antilia case should come out.

Patole also said Congress would take part with full strength in the march that Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray are holding in Mumbai on October 4. The two leaders have announced a joint march that day against the Election Commission and the SIR process. The march will start from Byculla and go to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.

Patole said Congress would stand with anyone who struggles to protect democracy and the Constitution. He also said Congress would launch an agitation against the SIR.

There has been no response from the government or the parties concerned to Patole's allegations. The matters linked to the Antilia case and Mansukh Hiren's death are before the courts.