Centre unlikely to act against Vilasrao Deshmukh

The centre may not take any action in haste against union heavy industries minister Vilasrao Deshmukh after the Supreme Court rebuked him for misusing power when he was the chief minister.

Reacting to the developments, Deshmukh said, “I have to procure the order and study. I can make any comments only after going through it.” Stating he will not resign as minister, he said, “I can understand my rivals are going to politicise the issue.”

Although the court remarks do not auger well for Deshmukh’s political image, the possibility of prime minister Manmohan Singh dropping him from the cabinet is completely ruled out for the moment.

A senior All India Congress Committee (AICC) functionary said, “Frankly, the party has not even discussed the matter. Everybody is busy with the plenary session on December 18 and 19.”

However, insiders indicated, “In the backdrop of the SC order, the possibility of Deshmukh’s elevation within the union cabinet with better portfolio could be on hold.”

The apex court directed the state government to pay Rs10 lakh as punishment for intervening in the job of police, which was about to arrest state MLA Dilip Sananda’s father, a money-lender, for cheating a farmer.

The court raised objection to a phone call made by Deshmukh’s office, when he was state chief minister, asking the police not to act. Sananda is perceived to be close to Deshmukh camp in state politics.

Sources in Delhi said, “The Congress feels it cannot buckle to the opposition pressure every time they demand sacking of a minister.”

Whereas, when the land scam in Karnataka was exposed the BJP failed to sack the chief minister BS Yeddyurappa.

While the Congress  central leadership has maintained silence over Deshmukh, there was uproar in the Maharashtra assembly with the Shiv Sena and the BJP demanding Deshmukh’s resignation.

The opposition also demanded that chief minister Prithviraj Chavan make a statement regarding the court’s strictures against Deshmukh.