Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray targets Modi govt over PNB scam

Thackeray, whose party shares power with BJP both at the Centre and in Maharashtra, said the PNB scam had pushed the controversy surrounding the purchase of Rafale fighter jets to the backburner.

"How were loans worth thousands of crores (or rupees) given?... Scams are coming out in the open one after the other. Due to this issue (PNB scam), the Rafale scam has been put on the backburner," Thackeray said. He was speaking to reporters here after launching a book by Sena MLC Neelam Gorhe, who completed 20 years in the party.

The PNB scam relates to fraudulent issuance of Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) to the tune of Rs 11,400 crore to the Nirav Modi group firms and his uncle Mehul Choksi in Mumbai. The CBI has arrested several people in connection with the alleged scam but Nirav Modi and Choksi had left the country before the matter came to light recently. "How was it possible for some people to siphon off thousands of crores of rupees in the past two-three years when, during demonetisation, ordinary people were asked several questions when they went to their banks to withdraw cash?" he asked.

"Bigwigs indulge in corruption and leave the country. However, poor farmers, who have taken small loans but are unable to repay them, are forced to end their lives."