Kirit Somaiya claims Bhujbal has business links with Koda aide

BJP general secretary Kirit Somaiya fired a fresh salvo at Chhagan Bhujbal Friday alleging the PWD minister had business links with Anil Vastavade, a close associate of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda.

Vastavade is in 10-day custody of the enforcement directorate. He has been accused of being a conduit for hawala operations and laundering money for Madhu Koda.

"The PWD minister as well as his nephew Samir Bhujbal need to clarify relations with Vastavade," Somaiya told the media.

Vastavade was extradited from Jakarata. Somaiya alleged the Bhujbal family met him in Indonesia. He said the family took help of Antim Totla, a Jalgaon businessman whose name had cropped up in the Telgi scam, to acquire mines in Indonesia.

"The Bhujbal family should clarify activities between July 15, 2010, and August 1, 2010, and say whether it took the help of Vastavade and Totla to acquire mines in Indonesia."

Somaiya claimed he had documents to prove Armstrong Energy, a company of the Bhujbals, was involved in dubious transactions.

"The company has been investing crores and acquiring mines. It, however, produces no power," he said.

Bhujbal denied the allegations. "I have never been to Jakarta in my life, while I travelled to Singapore about 20 years ago. I don't know Anil Vastavade and have never met him," he said.

The minister said between July 2010 and August 2010 he was in Mumbai attending state legislature.

Over the past few months, Somaiya has accused the family of indulging in corruption.

He has blamed it for creating a huge personal land bank, of being involved in the coal scam and receiving kickbacks from contractors.

The family has denied all allegations.

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