Antulay no stranger to controversy

Antulay set off a flurry of outrage by demanding a probe into the killing of Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad chief Hemant Karkare.

He has just set off a flurry of outrage by demanding a probe into the killing of Mumbai Anti Terrorism Squad chief Hemant Karkare — alleging a conspiracy by Hindu radicals connected to the Malegaon blast case — but Union Minister for Minorities’ Affairs Abdul Rehman Antulay has long been a controversial figure with a reputation of being something of a maverick politician.

The veteran Congressman and lawyer from the Konkan region rose into prominence when he was rewarded with the chief ministership of Maharashtra in June 1980 for remaining loyal to Indira Gandhi during the Emergency and its aftermath. Another reason he was chosen for the top position in the state was that Sharad Pawar’s Progressive Democratic Front had toppled the Congress government led by Vasantdada Patil in July 1978. In an apparent bid to snub the Marathas in the state and show that other communities were also loyal to the party, Indira Gandhi chose Antulay as the chief minister, the only Muslim to hold the post so far.

After assuming office, Antulay became known for his eccentric behaviour. He declared that he would bring the Bhawani Talwar — the sword believed to have been given by Goddess Bhawani to Chhatrapati Shivaji — which was in a London museum. He also vowed to bring back the Kohinoor diamond. His outbursts about the sword apparently stemmed out of his desire to establish and enhance his rapport with Maratha leaders in the state. Not unexpectedly, the two treasures never made it back to India.

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As the chief minister, he was also given to making surprise visits during odd hours to check whether law enforcement agencies were on their toes.

However, Antulay’s troubles truly began when he established a trust — the Indira Gandhi Pratibha Pratisthan — and was accused of collecting funds by misusing his office. It was the era of the ‘Licence Raj’ and Antulay was found to have favoured the donors by allotting cement quotas, which were under government control. The issue blew up into a major controversy and led to litigation. The court found him guilty and he was forced to quit.

Meanwhile, his supporters alleged a conspiracy by Maratha and Hindu fundamentalists to remove him from power because he was a Muslim. After Antulay was ousted from office, the Congress, in a bid to give a Maratha face to the state’s top job, appointed little-known Babasaheb Bhosale as the chief minister in January 1982.

But even before he became chief minister of Maharashtra, Antulay had found himself at the centre of a controversy when he made an objection to his car being checked by the police at Wadkhal Naka between Alibaug and Mumbai. He was a state minister at the time of the incident.

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He is known to have sought attention through his bizarre statements in the past and continues to do so. His fresh outbursts — which have left the UPA Government embarrassed — are viewed by some observers as his attempt to consolidate his position among the minorities.

Nonetheless, Antulay is said to be an able administrator who has little tolerance for indiscipline. He is also credited with taking up developmental works in the Konkan region through the Konkan Development Corporation, besides initiating a pension scheme for the destitute.