Mumbai: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Monday claimed that he warned in advance that arrested Mumbai police officer Sachin Waze will create problems for the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra. Waze is currently in NIA custody for his alleged involvement in the death of Thane-based businessman Mansukh Hiran.

Speaking to a TV channel, Raut said that the Waze episode taught some lessons to the Uddhav Thackeray-led government. NIA takes Sachin Waze to Bandra river; recovers CPUs, laptop, number plates "When there was plan to reinstate Sachin Waze into the Maharashtra police force, I had informed some leaders that he could create problems for us. His behaviour and style of working could lead to some troubles for the government," Raut said.

The Rajya Sabha member further said he cannot reveal names of those leaders, but "they are well aware of my conversation with them". Raut said he has been a journalist for some decades and hence, knows about Waze. A person is not bad, but sometimes a particular situation makes him so, he said.

"This whole incident of Waze`s activities and controversies thereafter taught a lesson to the MVA government. It was good in a way that it happened and taught us some lessons," the Sena`s chief spokesperson said. On Sunday, Raut had spoken out against the state government for not having a "damage control" mechanism in the wake of the corruption allegations against Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh. Raut had also called Deshmukh an "accidental" home minister, saying he got the job since other seniors leaders had refused to take up the role.

In a sharp response, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar said that leaders must not play "spoilsport" in coalition government and said there is no need for such "unwarranted" remarks. Raut, however, clarified his statement against Deshmukh on Monday and called him a "gentleman". "He must have gone through a lot of trouble and hardship while handling a crucial portfolio like the home ministry. I had even spoken to him and told him that he would face lot of criticism," the Sena leader said.

Waze, an encounter specialist, was arrested by the NIA earlier this month for this alleged role in planting an explosive-laden SUV near industrialist Mukesh Ambani`s residence in south Mumbai on February 25. Hiran, who was the owner of the SUV, was found dead in a creek in Thane a few days later. Waze is said to be the prime accused in the death of Hiran, with NIA saying that he tried to destroy the evidence which could have led to his implication.

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