BOMBAY, 4 November 2003 — Cracks surfaced in the state Congress with contrary statements made by Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Maharashtra State Congress Committee president Ranjit Deshmukh over prepoll alliance with the National Congress Party.
Shinde, talking to newsmen, yesterday said that he was optimistic of a prepoll alliance with the NCP for the legislature assembly elections in the state and that this issue was discussed with NCP president Sharad Pawar. Shinde stressed the need for both parties to come together to combat communal forces in the state.
Taking a totally opposite stand, Ranjit Deshmukh, the MPCC chief stated that Congress would not hold any prepoll alliance talks with NCP, until and unless Sharad Pawar clarified various issues, particularly that of Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s foreign roots.
The Shiv Sena-BJP alliance continued to attack the state government. Former Shiv Sena chief minister and opposition leader Narayan Rane criticized the Democratic Front government for delaying the choice of a new director general of police . Rane said that the delay clearly displayed the political interference and corruption involved in the transfers and postings of police officials. The Shiv Sena leader’s criticism came after the delayed appointment of Surendra Mohan Shangari as the new state police chief.
Controversies continue to generate nightmares for the DF government. A senior Indian Police Service officer Suresh Khopade was yesterday served a notice by the government for violating the All India Service Conduct Rules. Action was initiated against Khopade on the grounds of holding a press conference in Pune without approval and discussing his findings in his book ‘Navi Disha’ about police administration.
Khopade had criticized high ranking police officers and the government. The book exposed the secrets of the police force, political pressures and corrupt ministers, including an alleged corrupt former deputy chief minister.
