Summary:
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which turned 20 on June 10, faces a major crisis as two of its senior leaders face inquiries and court battle ahead of the ensuing Maharashtra Assembly polls likely in September. Patel has already said he was cooperating the ED to help them understand the complexities of the aviation sector. NCP spokesman Nawab Malik questioned the timing of these cases being pursued against Patel and Munde. However, in the run-up to Assembly elections, Patel and Munde in particular and NCP, in general, are being targeted. Under scannerFormer Union civil aviation minister Praful Patel had appeared at the ED for two consecutive days for questioning in connection with a money-laundering probe related to losses suffered by Air India.