Go ahead, do your worst, Rane dares Deshmukh

MUMBAI, FEBRUARY 7: Facing the prospect of being booked for holding back vital information on criminals who have links with the ISI, forme...

MUMBAI, FEBRUARY 7: Facing the prospect of being booked for holding back vital information on criminals who have links with the ISI, former chief minister and leader of opposition in the Assembly, Narayan Rane, today dared the Democratic Front Government to do its worst and said he was ready for any kind of probe including one by the CBI.p8220;I have been informed that on the basis of the opinion given by Additional Advocate General P Janardhanan, the government is likely to conduct an inquiry against me. I am prepared for any probe. In fact, I feel that the Central Bureau of Investigation should be entrusted with the task so that the main culprits having links with the criminals are exposed,8221; Rane said today.

Demanding the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, Rane pointed out that Bhujbal has admitted that two of the main accused in the serial bomb blasts case had called on him at his official residence. 8220;I feel that Bhujbal has maintained the tradition of his political mentor Sharad Pawar.When Pawar was the Defence Minister, the accused in the J J shootout case were flown-in a Defence aircraft and now, the accused in the bomb blast case have met Bhujbal at his residence. Under such circumstances, Bhujbal has no moral right to continue in office,8221; Rane said.

Rane8217;s reaction comes a day after Janardhanan recommended to Chief Secretary Arun Bongirwar that government should initiate criminal proceedings against him for suppressing information on the stepped-up activities of the ISI as well as gangsters.

Rane felt that a high level probe should be conducted into the nexus of leading politicians, particularly of the ruling party, with the criminals. 8220;I feel that now the ISI has associated itself with local gangsters mainly to create instability in the state as well as the country. Under such circumstances, if a probe is conducted, it will help the administration in restoring normalcy,8221; he added.

On its part, the government seems to be moving ahead for slapping charges against Rane. A seniorofficial revealed that the Additional Advocate General8217;s opinion on the matter has been forwarded to Director General of Police Subhash Chandra Malhotra as well as Commissioner of Police R H Mendonca. Simultaneously, comments of the law and judiciary department have also been sought. 8220;It has been left on Mendonca to decide what action should be taken on Janardhanan8217;s opinion,8221; the official added.

The story so far
FEB 4: Rane tells newsmen in Mumbai that Bhujbal8217;s residence has become a haven for criminals having links with the ISI. Also charges that Bhujbal met two bomb blast accused. Same day, Bhujbal admits to meeting the two persons but says he did so as they were accompanied by SP leader Abu Asim Azmi.

FEB 6: Additional Advocate General tells the state government that since Rane is claiming that ISI8217;s men frequent the corridors of power but has not alerted the police on their whereabouts, he can be booked.