New Delhi: March 18, 2015:

CBI sources today expressed dismay over the mysterious death of Finance Minister Kala Raja whose body was found riddled with bullets on the river bank. Kala Raja was a crucial witness in the 6G probe. Home Minister Rashid Supari has ordered investigation and promised that all steps will be taken to uncover the truth. The police suspect suicide. The victim shot himself thrice. In Parliament Opposition leader Chhota Rajan openly accused the government of complicity in a murder. 

It might be recalled that a JPC had been acceded to by Prime Minister Dawood Ibrahim after serious allegations had been leveled that the government had failed to provide the opposition its fair share of the money collected from the issuing of 6G Spectrum licenses. Kala Raja had been entrusted with distributing the money. According to sources Kala Raja wanted to turn approver. 

Kala Raja’s death before the forthcoming mid-term poll has created a fluid situation. It is likely that the Chhota Shakeel Gang which was part of the People’s Progressive Alliance (PPA) led by the ruling All India Coercive Gang might defect and work against Prime Minister Ibrahim. Mr. Chhota Shakeel was reputed to be close to the late Kala Raja and has always nursed a grievance against Home Minister Rashid Supari after the mysterious death of ten members of his Gang that remained unsolved. 

First opinion polls undertaken by TV channels suggest a close contest and the emergence of another hung parliament. Poll analysts point out that while Dawood Ibrahim’s Gang has a decided edge over Chhota Rajan’s Gang, the latter has closed the gap by perhaps mobilizing even more weapons and sharp shooters than the ruling Gang. Betting in Mumbai is very brisk. However up till now the odds still narrowly favour Dawood Ibrahim’s Gang to emerge as the single largest Gang.