Opinion Shoeless with the Sena

So what’s the untold story behind this now oft-repeated charge that Gafoor was caught napping?

Kadam mentions only one encounter with the then police chief. But the fact is that after the Lashkar attack began,the Shiv Sainik came to see Gafoor thrice outside the Trident,each time accompanied by dismissed and suspended police officers.

On the first two occasions during the night,Gafoor gave him a quick review of the situation,and advised him to leave the area for his own safety.

Kadam’s third and final visit was around 11 am on Nov 27,2008. The NSG had taken over,and a junior had brought tea and biscuits for Gafoor,who had been on his feet throughout the night.

The police chief got into his squad car,took off his shoes,and was holding a tea cup in one hand and a plate of biscuits in another when Kadam reappeared for the third time.

The Shiv Sainik,who lost in the recent state assembly polls,was at that time the Leader of the Opposition in the Vidhan Sabha,a position of ministerial rank. Protocol required Gafoor to get out of the car and maybe even click his heels before speaking to such a dignitary. But the police officer was shoeless,and encumbered. So he spoke to Kadam sitting in his car.

Kadam clearly felt slighted,and responded as politicians tend to do when hurt — by levelling a baseless accusation. It still makes good copy for the media.