Maharashtra’s political leadership has moved to ensure the case relating to the security scare near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s Mumbai home doesn’t scar the state’s coalition government.
Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar on Friday summoned Maharashtra home minister and party colleague Anil Deshmukh to Delhi to discuss the subject, triggering speculation about his fate. Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh had been removed a few days ago.
Although sources indicated that Pawar was unlikely to sack Deshmukh, the final decision would be taken after the NCP veteran met Shiv Sena chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday night or Saturday.
An explosives-laden car was found parked near Ambani’s home in February. Days later an auto parts dealer, Mansukh Hiren, who had reported the car stolen, was found dead in a creek in neighbouring Thane.
Last week, the Union home ministry handed the explosives case to the National Investigation Agency, provoking Uddhav to say there was “something fishy” about the Centre’s move.
Pawar and Deshmukh returned to Mumbai on Friday evening.
After the meeting, Deshmukh said: “I met Sharad Pawarji at his residence in Delhi and had discussions on the Antilia (Ambani’s home) case. I also informed him that the state government was extending full cooperation to the NIA and that lawful actions would be taken based on the findings.”
NCP sources said Pawar had indicated there won’t be any changes in the government anytime soon.
Deshmukh later told reporters: “Whoever is guilty will be punished. But (as long as) the NIA does not complete the probe, I would not be able to comment. Necessary action will be taken by the state government after the NIA completes its probe.”
Ruling allies Sena, NCP and the Congress believe that removing the home minister would worsen matters amid criticism of the police’s handling of two recent deaths: of Hiren and Mohan Delkar, Independent MP from Dadra and Nagar Haveli who committed suicide in a Mumbai hotel.
What has aggravated the situation is the suspicion over the role of assistant sub-inspector Sachin Waze, who has been arrested by the NIA, and his purported links with the Sena.
The ruling coalition is worried at the NIA intervention and wants to distance itself from Waze’s actions.
Former chief minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis has mounted pressure on the state government, arguing the political leadership cannot insulate itself from the actions of its police.
Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut has defended Uddhav saying he had acted decisively after realising the mistakes committed by the police. But Raut had to admit that “what happened should not have happened”.
