Shiv Sena (UBT) calls for end to political protection of corrupt leaders

The Shiv Sena UBT on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP alleging that corrupt leaders continue to receive political protection despite repeated public claims about fighting corruption reported IANSIn an editorial published in the party mouthpiece Saamana the Uddhav Thackerayled faction said India cannot become a ldquoVishwagururdquo or a developed nation unless it dismantles what it termed a political ldquowashing machinerdquo that allegedly shields tainted politicians after they switch parties reported IANSThe editorial argued that corruption remains one of the countryrsquos biggest challenges and claimed that political leaders who depend on individuals facing corruption allegations have no moral authority to lecture citizens about nationalism or patriotism reported IANSIt further alleged that public attention is often diverted towards sensitive communal or divisive issues whenever major corruptionrelated controversies emergeShiv Sena UBT Draws Comparison With Chinarsquos AntiCorruption ActionThe editorial referred to recent developments in China to draw comparisons with Indiarsquos handling of corruption cases involving influential political figures reported IANSAccording to the article former Chinese Defence Ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu were sentenced to death by a military court on bribery charges despite their senior positions and proximity to Chinese President Xi Jinping reported IANSThe editorial claimed that the action reflected a stricter anticorruption approach compared to India where according to the party influential individuals accused of financial wrongdoing often continue to receive political backing or public recognitionIt also referred to countries such as South Korea and Japan where former prime ministers and senior leaders have faced imprisonment in corruptionrelated casesBJP Accused Of Welcoming Leaders Facing Corruption AllegationsThe Shiv Sena UBT editorial directly targeted the BJP over its induction of opposition leaders who had earlier faced allegations of corruption reported IANSReferring to West Bengal politics the article mentioned Suvendu Adhikari claiming that leaders once criticised by the BJP were later inducted into the party and elevated to senior positionsThe editorial also alleged that central agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate were used to pressure leaders from opposition parties including factions of the Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party NCP to join the BJPAdditionally it referred to Aam Aadmi Party MP Ashok Mittal alleging that he joined the BJP shortly after investigative action was initiated against institutions linked to himThe editorial questioned how corruption could be tackled effectively if according to the party politicians accused of wrongdoing continue to receive political shelterPM Cares Fund Mentioned In Editorial CriticismThe article also raised questions regarding the PM CARES Fund alleging a lack of transparency because the fund is reportedly exempt from the Right to Information RTI frameworkAccording to the editorial reports suggesting that companies under investigation by enforcement agencies also contributed to political funding have intensified concerns about transparency and accountability in governance reported IANSThe party claimed that such developments indicate deeper systemic issues related to political funding and corruptionShiv Sena UBT Calls For Structural Political ReformsConcluding the editorial the Uddhav Thackerayled party argued that Indiarsquos political system must end the alleged practice of ldquocleansingrdquo politicians facing corruption allegations simply because they switch political affiliations reported IANSThe editorial stated that if India genuinely aims to progress as a developed nation stronger institutional accountability and impartial anticorruption mechanisms are necessaryThe remarks are part of the continuing political confrontation between the BJP and opposition parties ahead of upcoming political and electoral developments across several statesWith inputs from IANS