In an attempt to lure Dalits the state government is planning to appoint Vijay Kamble as the city’s new Police Commissioner.
Even though more than a week has been passed after Satyapal Singh quit the post of Mumbai Police Commissioner but the state government is yet to appoint his successor due to lack of consensus between the Congress and NCP. With an eye on the Lok Sabha polls the Congress and NCP alliance is likely to appoint a Vijay Kamble, a Dalit candidate for the new police commissioner’s post. Additional Director General (state Traffic) Vijay Kamble, Additional DG (Home Guard) Ahmed Javed, ATS Chief Rakesh Maria and Thane Police Commissioner K.P. Raghuvanshi are the contenders for this coveted post
A source from the state ruled party revealed, “The party is planning to appoint Vijay Kamble as the New Police Commissioner as he belongs to the Dalit community. Even though party is planning to go ahead with this decision but there is difference of opinion within the party as some leaders are supporting other contenders.”
Dalit votes will play a crucial role in the upcoming election. Since the Republican party of India is having an alliance with Shiv Sena and hence the Democratic Front doesn’t want to lose Dalit votes which will make a major difference in election.
There is delay in the declaration of the candidate’s name for the new police commissioner’s post due to policy paralysis. While a section of senior Congress cabinet members was keen on the appointment of additional director general of police Ahmed Javed for the police commissioner’s post he was not promoted as state security corporation MD, while another group of Congress cabinet members was of the view that additional director general of police (traffic) Vijay Kamble should be appointed for the top job.
Though Ahmad Javed, a 1980-batch officer and Additional Director General (Law and order), is the next-in-line for the post, but he is not likely to be appointed as the new police commissioner as he is already due for promotion to the rank of Director General of Police.
Among the 1981 IPS batch officers, Maria is seen as the top competitor to Kamble, but the ruling party is only politicising the issue by planning to appoint a new Dalit Police officer due for wooing Dalits and give tough competition to the Mahayuti alliance.
