Undeterred by media reports about the ongoing raids on his properties by the Mumbai police and Enforcement Directorate officials, former Mumbai Congress party chief Kripa Shankar Singh said he would not run away but fight a legal battle.
The Congress party, however, is yet to initiate disciplinary action against Singh who has allegedly amassed assets worth over Rs 300 crore, disproportionate to his known sources of income. Singh had resigned on February 22 from his post soon after the Bombay High Court ordered his prosecution for "criminal misconduct" under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Congress insiders said there was no decision as the Congress president was out of India for her treatment while other senior leaders were busy in Uttar Pradesh and Goa elections. At the same time, the party may not show any haste in initiating action, but may only suspend him, a senior Congress minister said indicating the clout Singh has within the party and his proximity with top leaders.
Singh, who was not reachable since the last couple of days, on Saturday told Business Standard on phone, "Let the law takes its own course. I will abide by the law and fight my legal battle in court."
Singh said a public interest litigation cannot be used as a source to level charges against him. “Allegations against me have wrecked my career. I am not guilty. I am not absconding. I have done nothing wrong. I will fight back, legally," he said. He also blamed the media for targeting his family.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, however, evaded questions on the subject. As far as Singh's successor as the Mumbai Congress chief, Chavan said the party had discussed the matter but would inform when the time comes. However, state Congress executive member and former minister admitted that the ongoing raids on Singh's properties and the details of his assets have undoubtedly put the Congress party in bad light.
More importantly, the present crisis is a bad news for Chavan who is striving to keep his Mr Clean image intact. He would have to prepare himself to take on the opposition parties during the ensuing budget session of the Maharashtra Legislature, starting from March 15. Ironically, Chavan, until the Bombay High Court directed the Mumbai Police commissioner to prosecute Kripa Shankar Singh for criminal misconduct, was accompanying Singh at election rallies despite questions being raised by several groups within the Congress party.
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A senior minister, who did not want to be identified, said "Tough time ahead for the Congress party. It is quite unbelievable that Singh has collected his assets and mobilised such a huge property using his political clout. An ordinary street vendor selling potatoes and onions in Mumbai suburb to minister and until recently Mumbai unit chief, Singh's rise is quite remarkable. However, with the registration of FIR against Singh, the party's image has taken a heavy drubbing. Party's prosp-ects, especially during assembly elections slated for 2014, may be impacted adversely unless a drastic surgery is applied."
Another party leader believes that party high command would have to do take a drastic step by appointing a leader who can revive the image and rejuvenate party organisation, especially in Mumbai, ahead of 2014 assembly elections.