MUMBAI: After former police chief Parambir Singh’s letter bomb, opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis demanded that home minister Anil Deshmukh resign or be sacked by chief minister Uddhav Thackeray. He also demanded a probe by Central agencies or a court-monitored probe into the allegations. The BJP will hold demonstrations across the state on Sunday to press for the resignation.
Meanwhile BJP leader Pravin Darekar tweeted: “One more minister is under a cloud. He will be in the net soon.”
Fadnavis said, “The letter written by former Mumbai police commissioner Parambir Singh is not just sensational but shocking. This is for the first time in the history of Maharashtra that a DG rank officer has so openly written about the home minister.
“Till such time doodh ka doodh, paani ka paani hota naahi (the truth does not come out), the home minister cannot continue in his post. The letter defames Mumbai police and is a shame for Maharashtra. The chief minister must take strong action,” said Fadnavis.
“With the letter he has attached a WhatsApp/SMS chat. It says there is direct evidence about money being demanded. Under the circumstances, the home minister cannot continue in his post,” said Fadnavis.
Fadnavis added if the letter had been brought to Thackeray’s notice earlier, he should have taken immediate action. “Perhaps to save his government or because he suspected his government may fall, he may have neglected it. Neglecting the letter is endangering the state,” he said. The demand for Deshmukh’s resignation was echoed by BJP leaders. Kirit Somaiya said it is clear why API Sachin Waze roamed with a note counting machine. MLA Ashish Shelar tweeted: “Gangwars of Maharashtra - Playing out in full. More secrets will tumble, Tiger (Shiv Sena) will crumble.”
MNS chief Raj Thackeray tweeted that Deshmukh should resign. AAP questioned the timing of the letter, stating it comes after corruption charges against IPS officer Deven Bharati, and demanded sacking of both Deshmukh and Singh.