Had warned that Waze could create problems for Maha govt Raut

    Mumbai, Mar 29 (PTI) Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on
Monday claimed he had warned some party leaders that Sachin
Waze, the suspended Mumbai police officer who is currently in
the NIA's custody, could create problems for the Maharashtra
government.
    Raut also said the Sachin Waze episode taught some
lessons to the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)
government in Maharashtra.
    The Sena, NCP and Congress share power in the state.
    The National Investigation Agency (NIA) earlier this
month arrested Waze over his alleged role in planting an
explosive-laden SUV near industrialist Mukesh Ambanis
residence in south Mumbai on February 25.
    He was earlier also suspended in 2004 over the
custodial death of Ghatkopar bomb blasts accused Khwaja Yunus,
and was reinstated into the police force last year.
    "When there was plan to reinstate Sachin Waze into the
Maharashtra police force, I had informed some leaders that he
could create problems for us. His behaviour and style of
working could lead to some troubles for the government," Raut
told a TV channel.
    The Rajya Sabha member further said he cannot reveal
names of those leaders, but "they are well aware of my
conversation with them".
    Raut said he has been a journalist for some decades
and hence, knows about Waze.
    A person is not bad, but sometimes a particular
situation makes him so, he said.
    "This whole incident of Waze's activities and
controversies thereafter taught a lesson to the MVA
government. It was good in a way that it happened and taught
us some lessons," the Sena's chief spokesperson said.
    On Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray backing the
suspended police officer, Raut said they did not have enough
information about Waze and his activities.
    "The chief minister supported him, but with his
(Waze's) activities having surfaced, there is no reason to
shield the officer," he said.
    On the speculation in political circles that Union
Home Minister Amit Shah met NCP leader Sharad Pawar in
Ahmedabad on Saturday, Raut said Shah is known for holding
several meetings in the Gujarat city with various leaders.
    "There is nothing to raise eyebrows over the rumoured
meeting between Sharad Pawar and BJP leader Amit Shah. In
fact, a dialogue between leaders of opposition (rival) parties
is good. I am saying this provided they actually met each
other in Ahmedabad," he said.
    Raut further said even if Pawar and Shah had met,
there was nothing to read too much into it.
    "If it was really a secret meeting, how come it (news
about it) came out," he said.
    Raut also said the three-party alliance in Maharashtra
will not be affected by the outcome of the Assembly polls in
West Bengal, Tamil Nadu or other states.
    On his remark in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' where he
called Maharashtra NCP leader Anil Deshmukh an accidental home
minister, Raut said Deshmukh is a gentleman.
    "He must have gone through a lot of trouble and
hardship while handling a crucial portfolio like the home
ministry. I had even spoken to him and told him that he would
face lot of criticism," the Sena leader said. PTI ND
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(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)