Political heads roll in terror aftermath

More political heads rolled in the aftermath of Mumbai terror attacks with Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh on the way out and his deputy R R Patil submitting his resignation.

More political heads rolled on Monday in the aftermath of Mumbai terror attacks with Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh on the way out and his deputy R R Patil submitting his resignation.

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"I offered to resign at the CWC meeting (on Saturday) if any responsibility lies on the Chief Minister. Whatever decision the high command and my leader takes, I will abide by it," 63-year-old Deshmukh told a news conference in Mumbai.

Asked whether he has sent his resignation, he said "I am telling you in very, very simple words. You are intelligent enough to understand."

Deshmukh said Patil, who held the Home portfolio and had come under criticism for his handling of the situation, had sent his resignation which has been accepted and forwarded to Governor S C Jamir.

The continuance of Deshmukh, who has been Chief Minister for over four years, became untenable after the state government came under severe criticism over the last week's terror attacks and Shivraj Patil was eased out of the Union Home Ministry on Sunday.

The Chief Minister also faced the flak when he was seen with his actor son Ritesh and filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma during a visit to Hotel Taj on Sunday.