Bribe jibe: NCP spokesman Nawab Malik apologises to Anna Hazare

Mumbai: When social activist Anna Hazare had gone on yet another indefinite hunger strike on January 30, Nawab Malik, the spokesperson of Nationalist Congress Party had alleged, Hazare takes money for fastings. Hazare then sent him a legal notice on February 2, following which Malik finally issued a letter of apology on February 16.

Until now, despite Hazare’s raising issues against the Congress-NCP led govt, Sharad Pawar, the NCP chief, has always backed Hazare. Keeping it in mind, Malik sent an apology letter to Hazare.

“I have received your notice dated 2.2.2019. I hereby inform you, I did not wish to hurt your feelings. After you told the television news channels, you did not wish to prolong the war of words, a senior leader of my party has expressed regret over this incident. You are like a father figure and if any statement has hurt you, please accept my heartfelt apologies,” Malik said in his letter.

Hazare had sent a legal notice to Malik in February’s first week. Seeking effective executionof the Lokayukta and Lokpal, Hazare had gone on an indefinite fast. Malik had said Hazare took money from the Sangh and lawyers for the fasts.

An appalled former deputy CM Ajit Pawar had, on behalf of his party and Malik, expressed regret and apologised to Hazare. But Malik had not yet apologised, so Hazare sent him a notice through his lawyer Milind Pawar.