BJP Leader Pankaja Munde’s Sugar Factory Raided by GST Officials, Alleges Political Motive

Image Credit: The Indian Express

Goods and Services Tax (GST) officials raided the sugar factory owned by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Pankaja Munde in Maharashtra. The raid took place on Thursday, causing a stir in the political circles of the state. The raid comes amid the state’s sugar industry facing allegations of tax evasion and irregularities.

Pankaja Munde, a former state cabinet minister, has alleged that the raid was politically motivated and that she is being targeted due to her affiliation with the BJP. She said in a statement, “Orders have come from the top. This is a political vendetta. I am being targeted because I am a woman and a BJP leader.”

The GST officials, however, have denied any political motive behind the raid and stated that it was carried out based on specific information on tax evasion. According to reports, the officials seized several documents related to the factory’s financial transactions during the raid.

This is not the first time that Pankaja Munde has been embroiled in controversy. In 2018, she was removed from the state cabinet by Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray following allegations of corruption in a dam project. However, she has denied all allegations and has been vocal in her criticism of the ruling Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress coalition government in Maharashtra.

Staff Reporter