New Delhi, Sept 14: In the backdrop of a series of bomb blasts in Mumbai and the shooting down of the mastermind of the twin blasts there on August 25, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Chaggan Bhujbal tonight met Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani and reviewed the situation in the state, particularly in the megapolis. Emerging from the hour-long meeting, Advani told reporters Bhujbal had come to Delhi to personally apprise him of the latest situation.

He said Mumbai Police Commissioner R S Sharma, who was also present at the meeting, will stay on in the capital to have discussions with Home Ministry officials. The meeting between Advani and Bhujbal assumes significance in the wake of Bhujbal's recent remarks that intelligence agencies had warned of possible terrorist strikes in Mumbai or elsewhere in the country on September 11 coinciding with the anniversary of the attack on World Trade Center in the United States.

Bhujbal today said the state was getting all cooperation and assistance from the Centre and Mumbai police was working in tandem with Central agencies.

Advani declined to elaborate on what has been his advice to Maharashtra government in the wake the recent bomb blasts, saying "consultation between the Centre and the state is a continuing process". Replying to a query, Bhujbal said the those responsible for the blasts in Mumbai were operating from Pakistan and Dubai.

Bureau Report