BJP slams Raut for rallying behind Deshmukh despite allegation

Maharashtra BJP leader Pravin Darekar on Thursday hit out at Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut for his refusal to seek state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh's resignation despite "serious" allegations levelled against him by former Mumbai police chief Param Bir Singh.

Singh had last week written a letter to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, in which he alleged that Deshnmukh wanted police officers to collect Rs 100 crore per month from bars and hotels.

Darekar said, "Sena leader Sanjay Raut had no problem in seeking the resignation of Sanjay Rathod, a minister who belonged to his own party, over his alleged involvement in the suspicious death of a young woman last month."


Rathod resigned as state minister in Februaury.

"However, he is refusing to demand NCP leader and home minister Anil Deshmukh's resignation despite serious charges levelled against him by Param Bir Singh. Is Raut a spokesperson of the NCP or the Shiv Sena?" the Leader of Opposition in state Legislative Council said.

Raut is throwing his weight behind Deshmukh and said there is no need for his resignation, Darekar said.