'How many sacrifices to save king?': Who said what on Param Bir Singh's letter implicating Anil Deshmukh

A letter allegedly written by Mumbai's former police commissioner Param Bir Singh to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has opened a can of worms in the aftermath of the Antilia bomb scare incident. In the letter, Singh alleged that Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh had indulged in "malpractices" and asked assistant police inspector Sachin Waze to collect ₹100 crore every month from bars and restaurants.

Waze has been arrested by NIA (National Investigation Agency) because of his alleged links with the Antilia security breach incident and the following death of Thane-based businessman Mansukh Hiran, whose car was found parked near Ambani house carrying explosives and a threat letter. After Mumbai police's link to the incident came to the fore, Param Bir Singh was removed from the post of commissioner.

Home minister Anil Deshmukh said he will file a defamation suit against Param Vir Singh for the "false allegations".

Congress must take a stand, says former MP Sanjay Nirupam

"If at all, whatever Parambir Singh is saying is truth, question should be asked from Hon Sharad Pawar ji because he is the architect of current Maharashtra Govt. Is it what the so-called third front is going to do finally? Congress must take a stand on this issue," he tweeted.

'Remove Anil Deshmukh': Devendra Fadnavis

"We demand the home minister's resignation. If he doesn't, then Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray must remove him. An impartial probe must be conducted. The letter also says the chief minister was informed about this earlier, so why didn't he act on it?" said Fadnavis.

"To save the king?" tweets Amruta Fadnavis

Banker Amruta Fadnavis, wife of former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, said things will go a long way now. "How many will have to be sacrificed to save the king?" Amruta tweeted.

File corruption offence: Former IPS officer PK Jain

"To my mind, an offence under the anti-corruption Act should be registered right away. Deshmukh has no right to continue in his position because if Param Bir Singh can be removed from his position for carrying out a fair probe, then I think by the same analogy the minister has no business to continue in his position," Jain said to news agency ANI

Damaging for Maharashtra's image: Raj Thackeray

"Mumbai's former Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh's letter to the Chief Minister is explosive. This is so damaging for Maharashtra's image. Anil Deshmukh needs to submit his resignation immediately and a thorough investigation too needs to be made," he said in a tweet.

Uddhav Thackeray has no right to remain in power: Ramdas Athawale

Union minister Ramdas Athawala said he will write a letter to Amit Shah urging the imposition of President's Rule in the state. "Sachin Waze and Shiv Sena's relationship also came to light. Now Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has no right to remain in power. I will write a letter to Minister Amit Shah on Monday that President's rule should be imposed in Maharashtra as the law and order condition is deteriorating and the government has not been able to function as they were also unable to control coronavirus pandemic in the state," he told news agency ANI.

BJP's conspiracy: Sachin Sawant

Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee spokesperson Sachin Sawant said the letter appeared to be an afterthought. "HM had told a month ago that some officials were under pressure. BJP has conspired against the MVA govt by putting officials under pressure from agencies. This is evident from the fact that the BJP leaders get secret info so early and planned manner," he tweeted.

What was the target of other ministers, asks Ravi Shankar Prasad

Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad expressed shock over the revelation and said if ₹100 crore was the target by home minister, then what might be the targets of other ministers of the cabinet. "Uddhav Thackeray’s government has lost the moral authority to govern the state even for a day," the minister said.

(With agency inputs)