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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