Decision on Anil Deshmukh's resignation by Monday: Sharad Pawar

Pawar hit out at Param Bir Singh saying the allegations were made by him after being shunted out as Commissioner of Mumbai Police

NCP supremo Sharad Pawar on Sunday said the allegations made by top cop Param Bir Singh against Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh were serious and a decision on the minister's resignation will be taken after consulting Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Monday.

Pawar, the architect of the coalition government in Maharashtra, also hit out at Param Bir Singh saying the allegations were made by him after being shunted out as Commissioner of Mumbai Police to a less important post.

He said there were two sets of allegations, one against the Home Minister and another against the former Mumbai Police Commissioner.

Read | Maharashtra HM Anil Deshmukh asked Sachin Vaze to collect Rs 100 crore a month, alleges Param Bir Singh

“There has to be an in-depth inquiry. It should be led by such an officer who enjoys respect within the police and reputation among the masses. My suggestion to the chief minister would be to order an inquiry led by Julio Riberio,” Pawar told reporters here.

The NCP supremo said he would also discuss the issue with the party's state unit chief Jayant Patil and leader of the NCP Legislature Party Ajit Pawar and decide on the demands for the resignation of Deshmukh.

Pawar also dubbed the allegations against the Home Minister could be an attempt to destabilise the coalition government, but this would have no effect on the government.

“These allegations in the form of a letter by the Commissioner of Police will have no impact on the stability of the government,” Pawar said adding that he chief minister has the complete authority to seek resignation from the home minister.

Read | Anil Deshmukh to file defamation suit against sacked police officer Param Bir Singh

At the same time, the NCP chief said that he had not discussed the matter with the chief minister and resignation of the home minister could be among the two-three alternative plans of action on the discussion table.

Pawar also ruled out any link between suspended assistant police inspector Sachin Vaze and the coalition government, contending that the police officer was reinstated by the Commissioner of Police himself and not by the Home Minister or the Chief Minister.

He said there was no proof about any transaction between Vaze and Deshmukh and termed the allegations of Rs 100 crore per month collection in bribes as “laughable”.