BJP Projected Sonu Sood As Their Own, Now Considers Him Tax Evader: Shiv Sena On IT Action

According to Shiv Sena, now that Delhi and Punjab governments are trying to join hands with Sonu Sood in his social work, the actor became a tax evader for BJP.

New Delhi: The Shiv Sena on Friday criticised former ally BJP over the Income Tax Department's ‘survey’ on actor Sonu Sood’s premises.

Although BJP earlier praised Sonu Sood for his humanitarian work during the COVID-induced lockdown, the party now considers him a “tax evader” as Delhi and Punjab governments have tried to join hands with him in his social work, Shiv Sena alleged.

In an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana', Shiv Sena alleged that the action against Sood was a foul play which would boomerang the BJP, news agency PTI reported. 

It further commented that the party that claims to have the highest number of members in the world, should also have a large heart.

The remarks come as IT officials descended on the premises linked to the actor in Mumbai and some other places on Wednesday in connection with an alleged tax evasion probe, official sources had informed.

"Filing false cases against the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) ministers, pressuring the state governor to withhold 12 members for their nomination to the state Legislative Council and raiding actors like Sonu Sood were signs of a small and narrow mind. This is foul play and it is sure to boomerang one day," the Sena stated, as quoted by PTI.

The editorial highlighted how during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sonu Sood came into limelight for emerging as the 'messiah' of the poor migrant labourers, helping them return to their home states during the national lockdown, also providing them with shelter and food.

"The BJP then praised him and asked why the MVA government can't do what Sood has been doing. The BJP projected him as their own. But when Sood became the brand ambassador of the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government's educational programme, the IT raided him," the party alleged.

The ruling party in Maharashtra further recalled that BJP leaders had previously remained present at all his programmes like setting up oxygen plants in 16 cities and his scholarship programmes. 

Maharashtra Governor BS Koshyari also called him to Raj Bhavan and praised his efforts. 

According to Sena, now that Delhi and Punjab governments are trying to join hands with Sonu Sood in his social work, the actor became a tax evader for BJP.

"It has become a norm to trouble people not linked to the BJP through investigating agencies," the Uddhav Thackeray-led party stated.