Political battlefield

NCP leaders believe that the allegations against Deshmukh are part of the efforts of the Opposition party, which is in power in the Centre, to defame the state coalition government, which also comprises the Shiv Sena and Congress.

NCP national spokesperson Nawab Malik maintained that the charges against Deshmukh are politically motivated.

“The allegations made by Param Bir Singh against Anil Deshmukh ji are baseless. They were made only after Singh was transferred out from his position as Mumbai commissioner of police. The BJP is misusing central agencies to create trouble for Deshmukh but we are hopeful that he will get justice from the judiciary. NCP is with Deshmukh in these testing times,” Malik said.

“Even if the NCP decides not to back Deshmukh, this vindictive politics of the BJP will not end with him as they want to target other senior MVA leaders to defame the state government,” said another senior NCP minister who did not wish to be named.

“In the beginning, Deshmukh promised to cooperate with the central agencies in the probe but did not do so. He also approached courts at times but did not get any relief thus far,” BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhye said.

Political analyst Hemant Desai said the political fight may end up being more posturing than anything else. “It will be difficult for the investigation agency to prove Deshmukh’s direct involvement in the extortion accusations.”