As the assembly elections in Maharashtra draw closer, the political landscape is heating up with intense competition between the Mahayuti and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).
In the midst of this charged atmosphere, Anil Deshmukh, a prominent leader from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and former Home Minister, is set to release a book that delves into his experiences and allegations during his time in office.
The book, titled "Diary of Home Minister," aims to shed light on what Deshmukh describes as false charges against him and a conspiracy to overthrow the MVA government.
His release comes at a crucial time, just before the elections, and serves as both a personal account and a political statement. Deshmukh spent more than 13 months in prison after his arrest on charges related to corruption and money laundering.
His imprisonment has been a point of contention, with the opposition MVA coalition accusing leaders from the Mahayuti government of orchestrating a campaign against him.
In his own words, Deshmukh asserts that he was wrongfully accused and incarcerated. He expressed his frustration over the situation, stating, "I was the Home Minister when the Maha Vikas Aghadi government was in power. I was falsely accused and imprisoned. I was in jail for almost 14 months on false charges." He added that he believes the people of Maharashtra deserve to know the truth about the conspiracy against him and how it aimed to destabilise the MVA government.
The idea for the book emerged while Deshmukh was still behind bars. He felt compelled to document the details of the conspiracy that he claims targeted him. He aims to reveal the identities of those involved and the methods used to entrap him. The book will be published in three languages: Hindi, Marathi, and English, broadening its reach among the state's diverse population.
Anil Deshmukh was released from Arthur Road Jail on December 28, 2022, after the Bombay High Court refused to stay his bail in the corruption case. His arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on November 2, 2021, stemmed from allegations made by former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh.
In a letter to then Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Singh claimed that Deshmukh had directed police officers, including the dismissed assistant inspector Sachin Waze, to extort a staggering Rs 100 crore each month from bar and restaurant owners.
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