Chhagan Bhujbal Counters Raghuvanshi's Claim on Balasaheb Thackeray Arrest
In a significant political development, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) veteran Chhagan Bhujbal has publicly responded to allegations made by former Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief KP Raghuvanshi in his autobiography. Raghuvanshi claimed that Bhujbal, during his tenure as home minister, was keen to arrest Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray. Bhujbal addressed these claims during a press conference in Nashik on Tuesday, urging Raghuvanshi to clarify the origins of the file recommending Thackeray's arrest.
Bhujbal's Detailed Explanation on the Arrest File
Bhujbal emphasized that the file recommending Thackeray's arrest was forwarded to him by the then commissioner of police, not initiated by himself. "Raghuvanshi should first clarify who sent me the file recommending Thackeray's arrest. It was the then commissioner of police who moved the file," Bhujbal stated. He explained that as the home minister, he was bound to act on the file due to the government's commitment to implementing the Justice BN Srikrishna Commission's report. The commission was established in 1993 to investigate the March 12, 1993, serial bomb blasts and was later reconstituted after being disbanded by the Shiv Sena-BJP government in 1996, with its final report submitted in 1998.
Bhujbal further detailed his actions upon receiving the file: "We had assured the implementation of Justice BN Srikrishna Commission's report, so returning the file was not an option. I, however, immediately instructed the then police commissioner to ensure police did not oppose Thackeray's bail plea in court and to be prepared to designate ‘Matoshree' as a temporary jail to keep him there." This statement highlights Bhujbal's attempt to balance legal obligations with practical considerations, ensuring that Thackeray's arrest, if it occurred, would be handled with minimal disruption.
Context of the Srikrishna Commission and Political Implications
The Srikrishna Commission played a pivotal role in this controversy, as Bhujbal noted that the file originated from the previous Shiv Sena-BJP government. "It came to me from (then) Sena-BJP govt and we had to act since we had promised it," he added. This underscores the complex political dynamics at play, where Bhujbal, as a member of the subsequent government, felt compelled to follow through on commitments made by his predecessors. The commission's findings and the government's response have long been a point of contention in Maharashtra's political landscape, influencing relations between parties like the NCP and Shiv Sena.
Bhujbal's clarification aims to dispel any notion of personal eagerness in Thackeray's arrest, instead framing it as a procedural necessity driven by governmental promises. His response not only addresses Raghuvanshi's claims but also sheds light on the intricate processes involved in high-profile political cases, where legal mandates and political assurances often intersect.
