'Bhujbal is not Vijay Mallya to run away from India'

'When Mr Bhujbal was with the ED officers throughout the day and cooperating with them, what was the need to arrest him?'

Nationalist Congress Party National Spokesperson Nawab Malik in an interview with Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com says NCP President Sharad Pawar stands behind beleaguered party leader and former Maharashtra Chhagan Bhujbal deputy chief minister after his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act on Monday evening.

How does the NCP respond to Chhagan Bhujbal's arrest?

This is absolutely vendetta politics.

Since four, five years, they (parties like the BJP) were alleging that NCP leaders were involved in corruption cases.

When Mr Bhujbal was with the ED officers throughout the day and cooperating with them, what was the need to arrest him?

Why was he arrested then?

That is the question and why we say that this is vendetta politics.

He was cooperating with the law enforcement agencies and yet he was arrested.

Isn't that vindictive politics?

Does the party stand behind Chhagan Bhujbal?

Yes, absolutely, and we will fight for justice in this case in a court of law.

Party president Sharad Pawar is yet to issue any statement in support of Chhagan Bhujbal. Why?

As a national party spokesperson I am saying that.

So the NCP stands behind Chhagan Bhujbal?

Yes, absolutely.

But has Mr Pawar issued any statement in support of Chhagan Bhujbal?

Not yet. Not yet.

Will he be issuing a statement on Tuesday? Is the party meeting on Tuesday to discuss the fallout of this arrest?

We will see that tomorrow. But tonight I am saying that (the party stands behind Chhagan Bhujbal).

But the party president is yet to make such a statement.

When an official spokesperson of the party is saying that, what more do you want?

That you are, Sir. But isn't it imperative that the party president also says it?

Have you consulted Sharad Pawar before making this statement? Did you speak with him?

See, when a party spokesperson says this, then the party says it.

Did you discuss this arrest with the party president?

See, if I am speaking, then it means the party is speaking.

Why aren't you answering if the statement you have made is in consultation with Sharad Pawar or not?

As a national party spokesperson, I am responsible for every statement.

Isn't it strange that the party president has not issued any statement in support of Chhagan Bhujbal?

See, the statement of Nawab Malik is the NCP's statement.

And Sharad Pawar will also have the same statement to make on Tuesday?

We will speak tomorrow also.

Will Sharad Pawar say the NCP stands behind Chhagan Bhujbal?

Why don't you believe that I am the national party spokesperson speaking to you?

But is this also the stand of the party president?

100 per cent when the spokesperson is saying, then that is the party's stand. That is the party president's stand.