Patil downplays demand for CBI probe in 7/11 Mumbai blasts

Mumbai, Dec 28 (UNI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil today expressed unawareness about the demand of his party for a CBI probe in the 7/11 Mumbai train blasts.

When asked about NCP general secretary Tariq Anwar's demand during a press conference earlier, Mr Patil while talking to reporters at the NCP office here, said, ''I was out of Mumbai for most of the last week. I am not aware of the demand made.'' Similarly, Mr Patil said the Pune Saraf Association (PSA), a representative body of city jewellers has not sought permission from him to display boards that will carry instructions restricting the entry of burqa-clad customers into their premises until and unless they do not unveil for security cameras to guard against dacoities.

''Such a demand has not been brought to my notice,'' he added.

Mr Patil was at the party office to induct Shiv Sena, Congress and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) activists from his Tasgaon constituency in Sangli district into the NCP fold.

Speaking about seat sharing adjustments with the Congress for the forthcoming Municipal Corporation elections including Mumbai, Mr Patil said talks were in progress for Mumbai and a concrete arrangement was expected in a few days. ''Elsewhere, local units of the party have been authorised to take decisions regarding alliances. Only in Mumbai, a panel of senior leaders has been set up to negotiate seat sharing with the Congress,''he added.

In a veiled attack on the Congress, Mr Patil said alliances and seat adjustments can materialise only if both parties have a positive approach.

''NCP always believes more in principles than power, Otherwise we would have not given up the Chief Minister's post after the 2004 Assembly elections, ''he said. If we would be forced to go alone in the coming polls, we would do so and win as NCP is not so large hearted that if some parties decide to contest alone, we would support them from outside,'' he added.

Replying to a question on the decision of RPI leader Ramdas Athavale to go alone in the Mumbai civic elections, Mr Patil said he had read about it in newspapers. ''I have not met Mr Athavale so far. Talks with him can materialise only after our seat adjustment talks with Congress are complete because Athavale is our ally and we can allot him seats only after we know the share we are getting,'' he added.

To a question on the number of seats the NCP was demanding in Mumbai, Mr Patil said talks were on in this regard. ''We will seek seats which we are sure of winning, whether they are limited or more does not matter,''he added.

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