Sena alleges collusion between BJP and some Maharashtra officials
What's the story
Stating that BJP's key motive is to create instability in Maharashtra by imposing President's Rule, the Shiv Sena on Wednesday alleged collusion between BJP and some officials with an aim to weaken the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) Government.
The Sena also referred to the "phone tapping episode" and the disappointment expressed by Sanjay Pandey, a DG rank officer, that he was sidelined.
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Sena alleged the same in 'Saamana'
In an editorial in Saamana, Sena said that it has become obvious that BJP is behind the conspiracy to defame Maharashtra as the opposition party has latched onto IPS officer Param Bir Singh's letter alleging corruption by State Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, and other issues.
Intercepted calls
Fadnavis approached the Centre with the 'phone-tapping' report
On Tuesday, senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis claimed that he had 6.3 GB data of telephone calls intercepted by then Commissioner of Intelligence Rashmi Shukla in which names of several key police officers figured.
The report was prepared by senior officials like Subodh Jaiswal and Rashmi Shukla.
He also met Union Home Secretary and demanded a CBI probe into "corruption" in the police transfers.
Singh's letter
Param Bir Singh leveled several accusations against Deshmukh in letter
In his eight-page letter to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Singh claimed that Deshmukh, who belongs to the National Congress Party (NCP)- one of the constituents of the MVA alliance, had set a monthly target of collecting Rs. 100 crore, including from bars and hotels in Mumbai, for police officers.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar had denied the allegations, claiming that Deshmukh was in quarantine.
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Pandey had written to Thackeray about being overlooked for promotions
The newly-appointed Director-General of the Maharashtra State Security Corporation (MSSC), Pandey, had written to Thackeray claiming that he was overlooked for the posts of DG, Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Mumbai Police Commissioner, and the state Director-General of Police. He alleged that junior officers had superseded him.
Dange's claim
Suspended inspector Anup Dange made allegations against Singh
"Those who find Singh's letter so important should also do justice to police officer Anup Dange who had written about Singh," Sena said.
Suspended Mumbai Police inspector Dange had alleged that Singh had tried to shield some people having Underworld links from the law when he was the director-general of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
Sena expressed surprise that Singh continues to be in service.
Allegations
State Government kept in dark over phone-tapping report: Sena
The party questioned why action was not taken against Singh even after he approached the Supreme Court for action against Deshmukh.
The Sena said, "Officers like Param Bir Singh and Pandey had leaked their letters to the media to create an atmosphere of suspicion about the State Government. Fadnavis approached the Centre with the phone-tapping report by keeping the (state) government in the dark."
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'People in the state administration are serving a political party'
Sena further said, "This means these people in the state administration are serving a political party. The opposition party colluded with these officials to weaken the Maharashtra Government and the government had such officials in its service."
Transfers
86 officers transferred after Deshmukh met Thackeray
According to a report by Deccan Herald, amidst the raging political chaos in Maharashtra, 86 officers including 65 from the elite Crime Branch CID, have been transferred after Deshmukh met Thackeray on Tuesday night.
It must be noted that Singh was removed as Mumbai Police Chief and was transferred as the Director-General Home Guard amidst Mukesh Ambani Bomb Threat Case, last week.