Congress driving wedge between Sena and dalits: Thackeray

Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray has alleged that the Congress is trying to create a rift between his party and Neo-Buddhists and dalits. To gain political mileage, the Congress is using the Ghatkopar firing incident and even taking the help of underworld figures, he said.

Dismissing the rumour that several disgruntled Sainiks had joined gangster Arun Gawli's Akhil Bharatiya Sena, Thackeray said, ''I am not afraid of the rise of Gawli's political party. It will die a natural death,'' he said.

However, he warned vested interests against encouraging the political ambitions of underworld elements. ''If this is allowed, then Dagdi Chawl would become the centrepoint of all commercial activities. No businessman would come to the city.''

Asked about the Ghatkopar firing, Thackeray said sub-inspector M V Kadam, who ordered the firing, has declared the circumstances under which he was compelled to open fire. Now the state government has instituted a judicial inquiry into the incident.

As for the strike observed in Bombay and Maharashtra after the firing, he said, ''Earlier the Sena had called for many strikes. But there always was some discipline with essentials and medical services being available.'' He said the recent strike did not spare even ambulance services, adding that this would not have happened unless the underworld took an active part.

Dismissing the allegations that the Sena-BJP government was anti-dalit, Thackeray said many Sena shakha pramukhs and legislators are dalits. ''I never inquire about anybody's caste in the Sena,'' he said. Though many dalits became Neo- Buddhists, he considers them ''our own as they have changed their religion but not their blood."

On last week's ABS rally, Thackeray said the numbers included people from Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar in Ghatkopar and Nabrekar Nagar in Kandivili where illegal hutments were demolished.

He claimed that Gawli's nephew Sachin Ahir, general secretary of the textile union, the Rashtriya Mill Mazdoor Sangh, supplied manpower for the rally. ''Even after 31 years of existence, the Sena cannot afford such an expensive rally. From where did Gawli get the money? Besides displaying banners, they distributed T-shirts and vada pav.''

Thackeray denied that there was any misunderstanding between the Sena and the BJP. ''I like that party for its stance on Hinduism though I may not not like all its policies. The same applies for them.''

UNI