When Herald contacted Tendulkar he admitted that the person going by the name of ‘Bala’, who is allegedly protecting three of the gambling dens is a BJP worker. Tendulkar however, said, “I don’t think that he is involved in gambling activities.”
Regarding the relative of a BJP office bearer, being a kingpin of the gambling operations in Sattari, Tendulkar again said that there was no relative of any BJP functionary involved in the gambling operations.
When Herald asked him whether the relative could be his brother, since he is the party president, Tendulkar said, “My brother is not involved in any gambling activities, nor is he using any influence to protect any illegal trade.”
