BOMBAY. Feb 1: The new leader of the ruling right-wing alliance in the western state of Maharashtra vowed Monday to fight rising crime and ensure good governance, in an apparent attempt to prop up hrs government's sagging image a year before state elections, reports AP.

Narayan Rane was sworn hr the state's chief minister Monday after the weekend sacking of his predecessor Manohar Joshi by Bal Thackeray, the powerful chief of the Hindu rad-ical Shiv Sena party. Rane was formerly revenue minister in Joshi's Cabinet.

The-Shiv Sena governs the state in a coalition with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayees Bharatiya Janata Parly.

'The confidence of the people of Maharashtra in the law and order situation needs to be boosted." Rane told reporters after the swearing-in ceremony. "Development work, social welfare will be my priority. This will be my effort.

More than 90 people were killed last year in Bombay. India's financial hub and the capital of Maharashtra state, in gunbattles with police or rivalry between different mafia groups.

Police registered 332 cases of extortion in Bombay where wealthy film directors and actors and real estate developers were targeted for money; by the mob. "Bombay is the center of Hindi film-making.

Home Minister Gopinath Munde who belongs to the BJP. said new people-oriented policies would be implemented in the year before the elections. "From April uninterrupted power will be made available to the farmers, drinking water and better roads will be our target." said Munde.,