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Thackeray sees media hand in Sena's troubles

Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, in his address to party office-bearers last night, criticised the Opposition and the media for trying to cause a split in the Sena and break its alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party.

A day-long meeting of the party's state-level office-bearers was held in Bandra, north-west Bombay, yesterday. The meeting, which was addressed by Chief Minister Manohar Joshi and Raj and Uddhav Thackeray among others, ended with the senior Thackeray's speech.

A top Sena politician denied that Thackeray's speech was directed against the chief minister who is facing a court case regarding allotment of a plot of land in Pune to his son-in-law Girish Vyas.

According to the politician, Thackeray said some people were making unnecessary haste to remove Joshi. "The case is in court and the matter is sub-judice. So why should I be asked time and again whether Mr Joshi will remain the chief minister? If the court issues any strictures, then I will take my decision," Thackeray said.

He lashed out at the Congress for trying to capitalise on its improved showing in the state during the Lok Sabha election. He reminded his partymen that the Sena's vote percentage had not decreased, but the party had to face reverses because the Opposition was united. He challenged the Congress to take on the Sena alone in the assembly election, due in less than two years.

Thackeray also exhorted party members to highlight the achievements of the Sena-BJP alliance in Maharashtra in every nook and corner of the state. He also told them to reach out to the masses during the 'saffron week', to be observed from October 9 to 15.

UNI

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