Claims he has evidence to prove that local leaders were involved and will reveal all in right time
Narayan Rane, suspended by the Congress for his outburst against Sonia Gandhi when he didn’t get the CM’s post, launched another broadside on Saturday, this time alleging the involvement of local political leaders in the terrorist attack on Mumbai. “I have concrete information that anti-national elements were provided logistics and financial support by political leaders.” According to him, no terrorist operation of this magnitude was possible without support from local political leaders. He did not name the leaders or their party. He only said he would disclose details “at an appropriate time”.
Reacting to the charge, BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde said, “We have always maintained it was the ruling Congress-NCP administration’s failure on all fronts. But if somebody from the Congress is levelling such a charge, it cannot be overlooked.”
A senior Congress minister said, “I think the anti-terrorism squad (ATS) officials should immediately interrogate Rane to ascertain the facts. If he has concrete information, he should immediately share it with the investigating officials. And if he’s lying Rane should be dealt accordingly.”
While ATS and crime branch officials maintained silence, a minister close to NCP president Sharad Pawar expressed shock: “Doesn’t he realise the impact it will have in international fora?”
Refusing to divulge his gameplan, Rane made it clear that he was ready to engage in a long drawn out battle with Deshmukh, he said, “I am going to expose his misdeed every day. Waiving a copy of a CAG report. Deshmukh invited adverse remarks for misappropriation of Rs1.19 crore invested in Vilasrao Deshmukh Latur Institution.”
k_shubhangi@dnaindia.net
