Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh is keen to see Mumbai Police Commissioner A N Roy out of office, for his alleged non-cooperation in the ongoing slum demolition drive. R R Patil, his deputy and home minister, is, however, keen to retain him.
This is likely to lead to a tug-of-war between the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
The CM is said to be unhappy with Roy for not helping the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) enough in its drive against illegal slums.
The BMC has had to postpone several of its demolition drives as the local police officers have shown reluctance to provide protection to civic staff.
They keep telling us they dont have enough staff for protection as most of their personnel is busy with VIP movement. Their excuses are simply unending, said a civic officer.
R R Patil, however, is backing the commissioner, as he believes Roys handling of the Mumbai police has boosted their morale and thus wants to retain him, sources close to Patil said.
Roy was appointed to the current post about 10 months ago amid much controversy, as Patil had moved out the then incumbent Dr P S Pasricha.
After voicing his hurt, Pasricha took his new post as director general, Anti-Corruption Bureau, while Roy was seen as an appointee of NCP chief Sharad Pawar. Roy has denied that his appointment was influenced.
Deshmukh now wants to shift Roy and bring in a commissioner of his own choice.
Relations between the Congress and the NCP have been strained despite having an election alliance, after the NCP emerged as the single largest party in the recently held Assembly and Council elections.
The Congress leaders have been voicing their anger against the NCP for not observing coalition dharma and have virtually declared a war on the party. Attempts to move out Roy are part of these games of oneupmanship, sources said.
Both Deshmukh and Patil were not available for comment.
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