Now, YP Singh takes on Pawars, Kejriwal

If the NCP is to be believed, then Y P Singh merely re-presented the same documents related to the Lavasa issue yesterday, which he brought up four years ago, and it was nothing more than a political stunt. The former IPS officer, who is now an advocate, alleged that favour was shown by former irrigation minister Ajit Pawar, to his cousin and NCP Member of Parliament Supriya Sule and her husband Sadanand Sule.

In the news: Y P Singh and Abha Singh Patil addressed the media during a press conference at Marathi Patrakar Sangh yesterday. PIC/Shadab Khan

According to Singh, the land that the government should have ideally auctioned was given away to Lavasa at a throw away price. He also claimed that Kejriwal was in possession of almost 80 per cent of the same documents and yet has taken no steps to expose the scam. Singh said, "The irrigation department gave away 348 acres of land on a monthly rent of Rs 23,000. It defies all imagination as to how this much land can be given on such a low rent to a private company on a one-to-one basis without any public auction."

Apart from the Pawars and Lavasa, Singh also targeted India Against Corruption activist Arvind Kejriwal. He gave out a document stating that it was Kejriwal and he who had gone to Lavasa. "I am surprised as to why Kejriwal has not exposed this scam and opened up a smaller one like the one related to Gadkari," said Singh.

Immediately after Singh's interaction with the media, NCP called for a press conference and gave out a clarification. The NCP claimed that Singh is upset as Kejriwal is getting all the fame and hence has sought to bring up a four-year-old issue to get a part of the action. Nawab Malik, spokesperson of NCP, said, "Singh is fighting the case for the last four years in the court. If he wants to prove us wrong, then let him do so in the court. It appears that he's upset with Kejriwal hogging the limelight, and hence wants to be in the limelight with these antics."

Meanwhile, HCC refused to comment on the issue. A senior officer from HCC said, "What Singh had brought up today is the same thing that had come up four years ago. So the company has decided to remain silent, as it is more of a political issue rather than anything to do with our company."

Singh's wife opts out
Abha Singh, who is currently director of the Postal Department, Maharashtra circle, has put in her papers and decided to walk in the footsteps of her husband and plans to open a law firm. Abha has 12 years of service remaining, but has opted for voluntary retirement. She said, "My letter has been accepted by the president and I have 11 days left and would soon be relieved."

She added that she plans to be a lawyer and open her own law firm. She also said that she would be filing an application on the Lavasa issue with the Anti-Corruption Bureau. u00a0