Pune: Defending the beleaguered Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar has said people should desist from levelling baseless allegations (against him) in connection with the multi-crore fake stamp paper scam.

"It was Bhujbal who took the initiative to set up the Special Investigation Team (SIT) which is probing into the racket," Pawar told a rally of Teli community at Sudumbare village yesterday (Dec 21, 2003).

"But it is unfortunate that some people are levelling allegations against him (Bhujbal)," he said in an apparent reference to the Opposition attack on Bhujbal.

Stating that nobody should be spared from inquiry if he is suspected of involvement in the scam, Pawar said, "People, however, should not level false allegations."

Bhujbal, who was also present on the occasion, said he would give a fitting reply to those who are levelling false allegations against him.