AURANGABAD, NOV 14: Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today warned that his government would not hesitate to arrest top ranking political leaders, irrespective of their party affiliations, if they were found involved in the recent communal riots which erupted in some places in the State immediately after a change in Maharashtra Government.Replying to a volley of the question by reporters at the Chikhaltana airport during his brief halt on way to Anjani Kurd in Buldhana district, Deshmukh referred to the recent riots in Ravel and other places in the State and said an inquiry was being conducted into the circumstances leading to these riots.``Any person, enjoying high status and affiliation to any political party, would be arrested if he was found guilty of spreading riots'', he said and added, ``No one is greater than law.''Replying to a question the Chief Minister said he was satisfied about the current law and order situation in Maharashra. But some political leaders were trying to deteriorate thesituation for their political gains. Top police officers have been ordered to maintain strict vigilance in their respective areas, he informed.When asked whether action would be taken against those held guilty in the recommendations of the Srikrishna Commission report of 1992-93 Mumbai riots, Deshmukh quipped that Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal has already expressed his views on the issue.Deshmukh said that the proposals of setting of the Minority Commission and declaration of White Paper on the State's economical condition would be placed in the winter session of the legislature in Nagpur beginning from December 15.Replying to another question, he said the coalition culture has now been established in politics and it was natural to accommodate more minister in the cabinet giving equal share to the different parties. The expenditure on ministers would not be more than that of the election which was held after the government collapsed, he added.
