Mumbai, Jul 21 (PTI) The NCP (SP) on Sunday hit back at Union Home Minister Amit Shah for terming Sharad Pawar as the "sargana" (ringleader) of corruption, saying it is the BJP which has "legitimised" corruption by incorporating tainted leaders in the saffron fold.

"They accuse political leaders of corruption, and then once those who they accuse join BJP, they are all given a clean chit. This is the BJP's washing machine process of legitimising corruption," NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) national spokesperson Clyde Crasto stated.

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Addressing a BJP conclave in Pune, Shah dubbed Sharad Pawar the "sargana" of corruption who institutionalised corruption in the country.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)