Maharashtra Congress demands full-time Home Minister for state

MUMBAI: Citing spurt in crimes in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today said the state needs a full-time Home Minister and expressed concern over threats being hurled on journalists.

At present, Chief Minister holds the Home portfolio.

Chavan, who is Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee chief, said that rise in incidence of crime as well as threats to journalists was a cause of concern.

"The government should take note of the developments. Unless there is a full time Home minister, situation will not be normalised," he said.

Reiterating demand for ban on right-wing outfit Sanathan Sanstha, Chavan wondered what proof the government was seeking when police investigations in the (Govind) Pansare murder case point out to the involvement of its members.

When asked about Agriculture Minister Eknath Khadse's comments that if there is demand for ban on Sanathan, why not on AIMIM, Chavan said he was not a "supporter" of the Hyderdabad based party.

"I am not a supporter of AIMIM. It is a political party while there are allegations of bomb blasts and murder against Sanathan members," he said.