Mumbai: The political crisis in Maharashtra deepened on August 13 as Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde rejected noted Gandhian Anna Hazare's demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into graft charges levelled against four DF ministers or dropping them from the government, even as the social worker, whose fast-unto-death entered fifth day, stuck to his guns.

However, the state Cabinet, under duress from Hazare's agitation, acceded to the social worker's demand by okaying a draft Bill for regulating transfers and removing red-tapism.

Ruling out a CBI probe, Shinde also turned down Hazare's demand of instituting a three-member panel of judges to enquire into corruption charges against four DF ministers – Suresh Jain, Dr Padamsinh Patil, Dr Vijaykumar Gavit and Nawab Malik – all belonging to Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

He also rejected social worker's demand for dropping the four ministers. Shinde, however, said he was not averse to ordering a probe by a retired judge into charges and counter-charges levelled against each other by Hazare and Jain.

Notwithstanding Shinde government's efforts to accede to his demands, Hazare remained firm on his demand for removal of the four ministers and a probe by a three-member judicial panel. If ministers are not removed, then CBI should be asked to look into the charges, he emphasised.

Meanwhile, Jain, who has also resorted to a fast-unto-death demanding a probe by retired high court judge into charges of graft against Hazare, welcomed Shinde's announcement and said he would call off his agitation once the name of the judge name was announced.

PTI