Amid BJP’s fierce attack over the sensational Scorpio-planting case, the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi’s massive damage-control exercise continued for the third day on Wednesday.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Deputy Chief Minister held a meeting of MVA leaders in Mumbai in the wake of the image crisis that the government is suffering because of the arrest of police officer Sachin Vaze, who had planted a Scorpio SUV laden with gelatin sticks and a threatening letter near the residence of Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani and has come under cloud of suspicion over the death of the car owner Mansukh Hiren.
Those present in the meeting included Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, state NCP President and Water Resources Minister Jayant Patil, Social Justice Minister Dhananjay Munde, Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat, Public Works Minister Ashok Chavan, Woman and Child Development Minister Yashomati Thakur, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anil Parab and Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde.
Around midnight, Thackeray and Deshmukh met Director General of Police Hemant Nagrale and Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh and discussed the entire issue.
A possible shake up in the police force is expected, sources said.
Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has checked digital devices being used by Vaze. A Mercedes car was also seized besides the Scorpio and Innova.
The federal investigative agency also recovered the number plate of the Scorpio car, which was parked outside Mukesh Ambani's house in Mumbai with explosives. Rs 5 lakh, a note-counting machine and some clothes were also recovered.
Senior BJP leader Dr Kirit Somaiya has meanwhile demanded security for Hiren’s family.