Home minister Dilip Walse Patil belongs to the Nationalist Congress Party and Raut’s remarks indicated that the Sena was not happy with the ministry’s handling of cases against BJP leaders in Maharashtra. Following speculation that things were not all well in MVA, chief minister Uddhav Thackeray issued a statement that reports of him being upset with his home minister were false and that he had complete faith in the minister who was ‘doing a good job.’
However, a leader said that the CM did raise issue of the home ministry’s ‘lack of interest’ in acting against BJP leaders on complaints of financial irregularities against them, during his Friday meeting with Patil. Immediately after the meeting, Patil met DGP Rajnish Seth and thereafter the minister held another meeting with the CM. Patil claimed that the meetings were routine. On Raut’s claim that the home department needed to be firmer, he said: “Raut’s feeling is right. If there is any shortcoming, we will try to improve.” When asked if the home department was ‘soft’ on BJP leaders, he said, “It is not a soft or hard view; whatever action we take has to make sure it prevails in court. If there is a crime, action would be taken.”
After they were booked and investigated by central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate, CBI and the income-tax department, Sena leaders have been pressing for ‘tit for tat action’ against Maharashtra BJP leaders by the state police and were unhappy that such action was not forthcoming, according to some insiders. Sena leaders said that Raut’s public comments showed Sena’s frustration over Patil’s ‘soft approach’ on BJP leaders. Raut faces probe from ED and has alleged charges of corruption and fraud against BJP leaders like Kirit Somaiya. However, the state police is yet to take any action. Sena leaders said that if the NCP was not keen on action against BJP leaders it would like to administer the home ministry.
After clarification from the CM and the home minister, Raut also adopted a conciliatory approach. “Central agencies are treating us in Maharashtra as terrorists, I have said that we need to give them a similar response and this is not just my view but also the views of the chief minister and the home minister.” The police action against BJP leaders would not be revenge, he said. “Our government follows the law and order to the spirit. It will not go behind political rivals like central agencies. We wouldn’t take political revenge,” Raut said.
