JOIN USMumbai Police chief Satyapal Singh, 59, who had taken over the mantle of the city's law enforcing force under controversial circumstances one-and-a-half years ago, has opted for the “voluntary retirement scheme” (VRS) from the Indian Police Service (IPS) and is planning to enter the political arena.
Confirming to media here that he has put in his papers, Singh, who at present holds the rank of Additional Director General of Police and is to be promoted to the level of Director General of Police (DGP) in a month time, said: “I have sent my letter expressing my decision for opting for VRS to Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and I will abide by whatever decision the government takes.”
With rumours that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has offered him a ticket to contest from his home town Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, Singh, who is also brother-in-law of Union Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh, while refusing to get into specifics, said: “I don't want to comment at this stage. But I will admit that I do have offers from some political parties. Don't you worry, you will come to know soon.”
On being asked about the BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's capabilities, Singh said: “He is a nationalist leader and he should get an opportunity.”
The rumours of Singh planning to join the BJP had been doing the rounds for the past few weeks; the Mumbai Police chief's leanings towards right-wing political parties.