Drugs-on-cruise case: Nawab Malik promises heated winter session

Sameer Wankhede and Nawab Malik. File Pic/Suresh Karkera

The drugs-on-cruise controversy is expected to overshadow proceedings in the forthcoming winter session of the state legislature, with senior minister Nawab Malik assuring to expose the opposition for its alleged involvement in the case, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ready with its gloves off, to give a fitting response.

The session, to be held in Nagpur, is five weeks away. By the time the sitting opens on December 7, the drug case and allegation against NCB officer, Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede will be in advanced stage. The celebrity accused were bailed out on Friday, but the case refuses to die down, with other matters surfacing every day. The state government has said.

Nawab Malik has promised to keep his tirade against Sameer Wankhede on. File pic

Wankhede is being probed by his agency's vigilance department and by the state police that have filed a first information report in the extortion charges one of the panch witnesses has made. The officer is also accused of faking his caste to get employment in the reserved quota for the scheduled castes.

‘Won't stop!'

Malik promised to keep his tirade against Wankhede on. "The BJP will attack me in the session. They will take my name. Once I reveal the big names, the BJP leaders will not be able to show their faces in public," said Malik on Friday, adding that Wankhede was BJP's parrot, and a picture of BJP leader Kirit Somaiya with the Wankhede family, substantiated his claim of the party handling the officer. Opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis said what Malik has been saying is not important to him or his party. "He speaks every day, anytime. He doesn't have any work. He is the NCP's parrot who speaks daily."

Arguments, allegations

Sources say that the legislature was likely to witness unprecedented arguments and exchange of serious allegations. These would invite court proceedings if made outside the legislature that provides members immunity for the acts committed and words said inside. The proceedings, unless expunged by the presiding officer, are allowed to be reported and discussed outside the house.