Uddhav says those who want to quit party free to do so,Manohar Joshi offers public apology

“All those who are not happy with my leadership are free to leave the party. All those who want to leave can do so. I do not want betrayers in my midst,” Uddhav Thackeray said Friday. Thackeray’s outburst comes

in the backdrop of constant criticism of his leadership style by party

veterans who think that they are being sidelined in the party.

The first to fire a salvo was former Chief Minister Manohar Joshi who had questioned Thackeray’s style of functioning in October. After indications that he would not be given a ticket for the Lok Sabha elections,Joshi had said that Uddhav had not done enough to get the memorial made. “Why can’t the Sena build a Thackeray memorial at Shivaji Park? Just imagine if this was the case with Prabodhankar Thackeray,Bal Thackeray’s father… would he have kept quiet,” Joshi had said.

Joshi was subsequently booed off stage by angry Shiv Sainik’s during the party’s annual Dussehra rally.

Subsequently,former Sena MP Mohan Rawle had also complained that he was being sidelined in the party and the Sena leadership had no time for old Sainik’s. He met MNS chief Raj Thackeary at his residence sparking speculation that he would join the MNS.

After constant attacks by Sena old timers,Thackeray’s outburst is seen as a attempt to stamp his authority on the party. His statement did have the desired effect with Manohar Joshi issuing a public apology for his statement and suggesting that it was time to bury the hatchet.

“I will always obey and follow the directions of the Shiv Sena president. I publicly apologize if any of my statements has unknowingly caused disrespect to the party president. I believe that this would draw the curtains on this controversy,” Joshi said in a statement.

Meanwhile,senior Shiv Sena leaders were in a huddle at Thackeray’s residence in suburban Bandra Friday to discuss the rumblings within the party. Joshi was also present for the meeting where he put forth his side of the story in front of senior party leaders including Uddhav Thackeray.

“The leadership provided by Uddhav Thackeray is strong. I am confident that under his leadership the party will triumph in the upcoming elections,” Manohar Joshi said in the meeting.