DF Govt, Centre fight it out over deployment of paramilitary forces in State

“Probably it was for the time that the Centre has refused to come to the rescue of the State Government for tackling the law & order situation. Though law & order is a state subject, it is the responsibility of the Centre to deploy additional security forces to deal with the situation. Apparently, the decision was taken under political pressure,” Pawar said.

Though Pawar admitted that the decision to initiate criminal proceedings against Bal Thackeray was taken without his knowledge, Pawar said he was made aware of the decision after it was approved by both Bhujbal and Vilasrao Deshmukh. “I was not consulted before taking the decision. However, I was informed about it after the decision was taken,” he said.

On the possibility of imposing President’s rule in Maharashtra in the event of Thackeray’s arrest, Pawar ruled out such a decision, saying, the Centre would not commit such a blunder. “I am sure the experiment in Bihar is still fresh in the mind of the BJP-led Government at the Centre. Even if it takes such a decision, it will not be ratified in the Parliament, particularly in the Rajya Sabha, where the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is in a minority,” he pointed out.

On the possibility of Thackeray’s arrest, Pawar said since the permission to launch criminal proceedings had been granted, now it was for the Police Commissioner to take further action.“The role of the State government in the present case is very limited. It has given the permission. Now it was for the Commissioner of Police to act. I am sure the competent authority will act as per the provisions of law,” he said.

When asked if the law & order situation would be adversely affected in the event of Thackeray’s arrest, Pawar said, he was sure that before taking a decision, the State Government had taken all aspects into consideration. “I am sure, the State Government has prepared itself to tackle any eventuality,” he added.

On the Srikrishna Commission report, Pawar said after the new Government came to power, it had assured the Supreme Court that it was prepared to take action against those named by the Commission. Now since the Supreme Court has asked the Centre to make its stand clear on the issue, the case of the State Government has been further strengthened, he said.

On the statement of Union Law Minister Ram Jethmalani that there was no merit in the case, Pawar said it was unfortunate that a Union Minister had chosen to make such an irresponsible statement. “By and large, such statements are not expected from Union Ministers, but it appears that the Cabinet members of the NDA Government are in the habit of making such statements,” Pawar said.