Sanjay Nirupam claims Sanjay Raut is ‘kingpin’ of ‘Khichdi’ scam. Shiv Sena (UBT) responds.

The ED has alleged that agents linked to some politicians used influence to ensure the BMC awarded khichdi contracts to their associates. Expelled Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam on Monday claimed that Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut is the ‘real kingpin’ of ‘Khichdi’ scam, this amid the Enforcement Directorate (ED) issuing summons to Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate from Mumbai North West Amol Kirtikar. Kirtikar has been summoned in connection with a money laundering probe into  alleged irregularities in distribution of khichdi during the Covid-19 pandemic. “When I started working on this scam, I came to know that the ‘kingpin’ was someone else. The kingpin in this whole scam is Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson, Sanjay Raut…,” Nirupam, who was expelled for six years by the Congress, was quoted by ANI as saying.Continuing his attack on Raut, the former MP said,”In this scam, he has taken money in the name of his daughter, brother and partner. There is a company called Sahyadri Refreshment where Rajiv Salunkhe and Sujit Patkar were involved, who were partners of Sanjay Raut. The company received a contract worth ₹6.37 lakh to supply khichdi during Covid.” The ED has alleged that agents linked to some politicians used influence to ensure the BMC awarded khichdi contracts to their associates. The khichdi suppliers cheated the BMC by supplying less than the agreed quantity and after submitting inflated bills, it was alleged. “Sanjay Raut’s family and his friends took ₹1 crore as brokerage. ..He has taken bribes through cheques in the name of her daughter Vidhita Sanjay Raut, who herself is innocent and unaware of these things…,” Nirupam added. On Kirtikar being summoned by the central agency, Nirupam said, “What ED does after the interrogation, I don’t know, but action must be taken against him. The entire people from the North-West district should know, how dishonest their possible candidate is.”