Rules out Deshmukh’s exit, says ex-CP’s claims are of days when HM was Covid +ve & quarantined
In a clear indication of his party’s resolve to brazen out the political crisis facing the Shiv Sena-led MVA Government in Maharashtra, NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Monday dismissed the Opposition BJP’s clamour for State Home Minister Anil Deshmukh’s resignation over the “letter bomb” dropped by Param Bir Singh, by saying that there was no truth in the allegations made by Mumbai’s former Police Commissioner against Deshmukh.
Questioning the very claim that Deshmukh had asked arrested police officer Sachin Vaze to “collect” `100 crore a month from bars, restaurants and other sources in Mumbai, Pawar said, “There is talk about Deshmukh’s resignation. The former Police Commissioner has claimed that the Home Minister had called Vaze to his official residence around mid-February. But on February 15, Deshmukh was admitted to the hospital after he tested positive for corona. I have proof with me to this effect. He was in quarantine till February 27. Since the former CP is claiming that Vaze met the Home Minister in February, let there be any enquiry into the whole thing. Truth will come out”.
Talking to mediapersons at his New Delhi residence, Pawar said, “I have all the proof about Deshmukh. That being the case, the question of Deshmukh’s resignation does not arise. By now, the Chief Minister must have received all the proof relating to the State Home Minister. It is for the Chief Minister to take a call on ordering a probe into allegations against Deshmukh by Singh”.
“The main issues are: Who planted explosive laden SUV and who killed businessman Mansukh Hiran. Singh had all the information about the two crimes. Why was he sitting quiet for a month?,” the NCP chief asked.
Former Chief Minister and current Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly Devendra Fadnavis contested the NCP chief’s claim and tweeted: “Sharad Pawar ji said, from 15th to 27th February HM Anil Deshmukh was in home quarantine. But actually along with security guards & media he was seen addressing press conference,” BJP leader and former CM Devendra Fadnavis said in a tweet after Pawar’s presser.
Meanwhile, the core group members of the Congress Ministers in the Maharashtra Cabinet, CWC permanent member in charge of Maharashtra Congress affairs HK Patil said that he had discussed the issue with senior State Congress leaders — Balasaheb Thorat and Ashok Chavan, who were scheduled to meet Uddhav Thackeray on Monday night to discuss the situation arising out of the letter written by Mumbai’s Police Commissioner to the Chief Minister.
In a statement issued to the media, Patil quoted Pawar as saying: “We will discuss the resignation as well. Whatever the alternative comes, we will see. Even the resignation is one alternative”, while the NCP has said that the final decision would be taken by the Chief Minister.
It may be recalled that in the operative part of the explosive letter, Singh wrote on Saturday: “….Sachin Vaze who was heading the Crime Intelligence Unit of the Crime Branch of the Mumbai Police was called by Anil Deshmukh, Home Minister, Maharashtra to his official residence Dyaneshwar several times in last few months and repeatedly instructed to assist in collection of funds for the Home Minister,” Singh wrote in his letter.
“In and around mid-February and thereafter, the Home Minister had called Vaze to his official residence. At that time, one or two staff members of the Home Minister including his Personal Secretary, Palande, were also present,” Singh stated.
“The Home Minister expressed to Vaze that he had a target to accumulate Rs 100 crore a month. For achieving the aforesaid target, the Home Minister told Vaze that there are about 1,750 bars, restaurants and other establishments in Mumbai and if a sum of Rs 2-3 lakhs each was collected from each of 3 them, a monthly collection of Rs. 40-50 crores was achievable. The Home Minister added that the rest of the collection could be made from other sources,” the former CP wrote.
“Vaze came to my office the same day and informed me of the above. I was shocked with the above discussion and was mulling over how to deal with the situation,” Singh said.
In his letter, Mumbai’s former Police Commissioner had gone to allege that Deshmukh’s Personal Secretary Palande informed Assistant Commissioner of Police Sanjay Patil, ACP, Social Service Branch – who had been called to the Home Minister’s residence a few days later – that Deshmukh “was targeting a collection of Rs 40-50 crores which was possible through an approximate 1,750 bars, restaurants and establishments operating in Mumbai”.
In a related development, the Opposition BJP said that it would meet Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Wednesday to submit a report on the current happenings and situation to President Ram Nath Kovind.
“We are not demanding the President’s Rule….. the Governor, based on truth, principles, and provisions made available in the Constitution, should send a report to the President (on the ongoing happenings),” senior BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar said.
“It is a very serious allegation….an officer of the rank of Director General of Police writes against the Home Minister alleging that he was demanding Rs 100 crore per month (from suspended Assistant Police Inspector) Sachin Vaze,” Muingantiwar said.
According to Mungantiwar, ex-Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh has sent a copy of the letter to the Governor’s office that he had sent to the Maharashtra Chief Minister complaining about State Home Minister Anil Deshmukh.
Meanwhile, a Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi delegation led by former Parliamentarian, Prakash Ambedkar, on Monday called on Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and demanded President’s Rule in Maharashtra.
“Because of the current situation emerging from the serious allegations, the State should be placed under President’s Rule…however, the Assembly should be kept under suspended animation…may be in next four or five months we can have a government that would look into the interests of people,” Ambedkar said.
Ambedkar, who is the grandson of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, also said that there should be a probe into the allegations by former Police chief Param Bir Singh to find out whether “collecting money” was the decision of the three parties – Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress – or the state Cabinet.
“If the Governor fails to take action, there would be perception whether the Opposition (BJP) is also involved in the scam,” Ambedkar added.
Tuesday, 23 March 2021 | TN RAGHUNATHA | Mumbai
