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BJP pulled the strings and dramatic developments followed…

Ravikiran Deshmukh

Waze squad, the vehicle with explosives, the letter by Mr Singh… 

  • A closer look at the dramatic developments that unfolded one after another from the highly sensational case involving the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government and the Mumbai Police would reveal many interesting things. A few important statements by prominent BJP leaders came as percussor to the dreadful skeletons tumbled out one by one. 
     
  • During the Budget Session of the State Legislature, Shiv Sena members made certain stinging remarks over the BJP-led drive to collect donations for the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. This provoked Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis, who said the pious feelings of paying obeisance through the donations for the temple would never be understood by extortionists. 
  • Here the word ‘extortion’ came from a person who was leading the state government with the party whom he was labeling as extortionists, not very long ago. Such a word would never have come unless one was aware of a similar task being undertaken through a special squad.  
  • Even thereafter the government was caught off guard when Fadnavis revealed updated information about the explosive-laden vehicle, threat to Mansukh Hiren, his disappearance, and police finding his body under mysterious circumstances and the presence of Waze at the spot.
  • Senior BJP member Sudhir Mungantiwar, while participating in a debate in State Assembly chided the ruling party members when he said, wait for another 3-4 months (to witness the change in government). He also spoke about the imposition of President’s Rule saying the government has failed on the front of rule of law. BJP’s Rajya Sabha member Narayan Rane too echoed with the demanding imposition of President’s Rule. 
  • Soon after API Sachin Waze was arrested by the NIA, BJP questioned the political handler of Waze and action against the people who were supporting him. Fadnavis termed the arrest of Waze as part one of the episode and said part two was going to be a more sensational one. Then came the letter-bomb by senior cop Parambir Singh. 
  • Naturally, the possibility of the contents of the letter reaching to media from CM or his office seems remote. A copy of the letter was also addressed to the Governor of Maharashtra and Raj Bhavan confirmed receiving it. Then the contents reached to select news channels first and later to other media houses. 
  • No head-scratching is required to assess that the letter has been drafted very carefully probably using the services of a legal expert and it does not appear as a short-time work. The letter has not held responsible anybody from CM, NCP Chief Sharad Pawar to Deputy CM Ajit Pawar except Home Minister Anil Deshmukh.  
  • The BJP has not demanded immediate resignation by CM Uddhav Thackeray or has not sought the answer from NCP leader in the government Ajit Pawar or the party chief Sharad Pawar. Only time will tell about the political calculations behind such as a move.
  • Demanding the scalp of Deshmukh, BJP leaders were seen asking for a judicial investigation using the services of the center. On the contrary, people can recall in December 1993, senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde, who was also Leader of Opposition in State Assembly then, demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Sharad Pawar when over 100 members of the Gowari community died during the police lathi-charge near Vidhan Bhavan in Nagpur. Although it was the fault of the home department headed by Dr Padmasingh Patil, Munde stuck on to Pawar’s resignation. 
  • On Sunday, Fadnavis made another important revelation when he spoke about a report on transfers of police officers prepared by senior IPS Rashmi Shukla and submitted to the then DGP Subodh Jaiswal which has been forwarded to CM. Such things show BJP has scored brownie points over the Shiv Sena-led government.
  • While NCP chief Sharad Pawar has acknowledged Parambir Singh met him, it seems he too was aware something amiss was on. He had a couple of meetings with joint CP (law & order) Vishwas Nangre-Patil and it could be about to know certain details and assess the situation. 
  • Deputy CM Ajit Pawar’s decision to keep mum over the letter-bomb issue is quite noticeable even as the government is passing through its worst phase.