Rane hits out at DF Govt for failing to curb ISI activities

Talking to mediapersons on 100-days of the Vilasrao Deshmukh Government, Rane said it was the most non-performing government ever since the formation of the State and it has failed on all fronts.

Rane said at a juncture when there was a sudden spurt in gang wars, murders, communal riots and increase in the ISI activities, Commissioner of Police R H Mendonca is on a long leave owing to his differences with Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal.

"Since Bhujbal has failed to tackle the deteriorating law and order situation, he has made Director General of Police Arvind Inamdar a scapegoat. And now, since he is unable to curb ISI activities, he is shifting the blame on Mendonca," Rane added.

Rane demanded a high-level probe into the sudden spurt in the ISI activities. "When we were in power, the ISI never dared to spread its tentacles. However, with the change of the Government, the ISI has once again raised its head. Under such circumstances, there is a need to probe as to who is patronising the ISI. It should also be probed as to who made a telephone call in support of ISI agents arrested at Murbad last week," Rane said.

Rane, who is also the Leader of Opposition, expressed surprise over the demand of Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh that the railway should bear the entire cost of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project – II. "If the demand of the Chief Minister is accepted, then the prestigious project will never see the light of the day. I am more surprised, particularly when the original memorandum of understanding was signed when Sharad Pawar was the chief minister. I feel that Deshmukh took the stand to settle political score against his arch political rival," Rane remarked.

Rane alleged that corruption has taken over the administration. "You pay money and get order of your choice. That is the situation in the Government. Whether for transfer, promotion or for that matter any simple order, unless you grease the palms, you will not get the order," he pointed out.

The Leader of Opposition said, during 100-days in office, the Deshmukh Government has not taken any decision in public interest and on the contrary scrapped all schemes meant for the masses and the downtrodden. "They scrapped the scheme to freeze the prices of five essential commodities, hiked the milk prices and agreed for levy uniform sales tax, which was against public interest," he said.