DF govt contemplating shifting Patil from the Home portfolio, as part of an impending cabinet reshuffle in the coming weeks
Mumbai Police chief Arup Patnaik has faced the axe in thewake of the handling of the August 11 Mumbai violence, but Maharashtra HomeMinister R R Patil clearly steered away from the chopping block, as of now.
Patil, the senior NCP leader, too has been on the line offire of the Opposition parties including Shiv Sena, BJP and the RajThackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
“After the August 11 incident, it became clear that one ofthem would have to go.....whether it is Patnaik or Patil, but the ministermanaged to stay on,” a senior Democratic Front functionary said.
It may be recalled that after the 26/11 terror attacks inMumbai, the then Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and Patil, who then also wasHome Minister, had to put in their papers, but there was no action onbureaucrats or police officials. “But this time, this was the other way round,the policeman had to go,” the functionary said.
Patnaik was shuntedand replaced by Dr Satya Pal Singh, the Additional Director General of Police,heading Law and Order.
Most of the political parties – including Raj Thackeray ledMNS, BJP and Shiv Sena has demanded the ouster of Patil and Patnaik. Sena supremo Bal Thackerayin an editorial in Saamna has come down heavily on Patnaik, while his son andShiv Sena Executive President Uddhav Thackeray too has lashed out at the Mumbaipolice chief. The BJP too has been campaigning for Patnaik's ouster.
Patnaik has, however, earned praise from the Muslimorganizations and Samajwadi Party for his handling of the situation.
Raj has even gone to the extent of saying that of Patil andPatnaik has some shame left, they must resign.
There were reports that Chief Minister Pritiviraj Chavan wasnot in favour of Patnaik's removal as it would send a message that governmenthad succumbed to pressure from the Thackerays – but the fact remains that evenbefore August 11 violence, Patil has moved a proposal for his transfer.
Patil himself is digging in his heels and has steadfastlyrefused to put in his papers even under immense pressure brought to bear on himby the Opposition parties. Much to his comfort, both the ruling NCP—to which hebelongs – and Congress have purposely chosen not to show the door to Patil atthis stage, as such a move would be construed as an admission of hisincompetence to handle the law and order situation in the state. Sources saidthat the ruling DF government was contemplating shifting Patil from the Homeportfolio, as part of an impending cabinet reshuffle in the coming weeks.
Following the German Bakery blast, Pune witnessed avociferous clamour for Singh’s transfer. He, however, had succeeded in havinghis transfer stalled, despite an assurance given to members in the StateLegislative Council by the then Minister of State for Home Ramesh Bagwe of theCongress that the local police chief would be moved of Pune. It was Patil, the then and current the Cabinet minister forHome, who had stood by Singh.
