9 irrigation-scam cases closed. Not linked to Ajit, says ACB

Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) DG Parambir Singh told ANI, "We are investigating around 3000 tenders in irrigation related complaints. These are routine inquiries which are closed and all ongoing investigations are continuing as they were earlier."

Denying reports of cases involving Pawar being closed, Singh added, "None of the cases that were closed today are related to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar."

However, before the ACB issued a clarification, Shiv Sena's Priyanka Chaturvedi had taken a dig at the reported dropping of corruption charges against Pawar, tweeting, "Cases closed, corruption charges dropped, shamelessness to be in power exposed."

Separately, Swaraj India founder Yogendra Yadav told Times Now, "This is 'quid-pro-quo' politics." He took potshots at the BJP for once promising to send Pawar to jail.

The Vidarbha Irrigation scam, which came to light in 2012, pertains to alleged corruption in the approval and execution of various irrigation projects across Maharashtra when the Congress-NCP government was in power from 1999-2014.

Maharashtra's irrigation potential increased just 0.1% in a decade despite the government spending Rs. 70,000 crore.

Ajit Pawar was among the ministers who held the irrigation portfolio during the time.

Flash forward to 2019, Fadnavis and Pawar were sworn-in as the Chief Minister and the Deputy CM, respectively, on Saturday.

The move has stirred a controversy, as the NCP has refused to back Pawar's decision.

The Shiv Sena, NCP, and Congress have moved the Supreme Court, claiming the Fadnavis-led government doesn't have a majority in the Assembly. The order is due Tuesday.