NCP justifies Pawar’s meeting with Sena chief

“In democracy we persuade people through discussion and dialogue,” Tripathi said.

At the same time he agreed with Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan that there was no extra-constitutional authority.

Tripathi also insisted that persuasion is far more important than coercion in a democratic state.

Chavan criticises Pawar

Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan disapproved of Union Minister Sharad Pawar’s meeting with Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray making it clear that his government was “competent enough” to give adequate security to IPL matches.

“I do not think there is need to take permission from any other authority in the state… There cannot be an extra-constitutional authority,” Chavan told reporters adding that “…government is competent,it is the authority and there can not be two authorities in state.”

Declaring that his government was “competent enough” to handle any law and order problem in the state,Chavan,however,refused to comment on why Pawar met Thackeray on the issue.

He,however,insisted that there cannot be “any other power centre” and that democratically elected government will do its work.

Reports said Pawar,who is also president of the Mumbai Cricket Association,requested Thackeray to withdraw his threat against Australian cricketers’ participation in the IPL cricket tourney.

“Don’t ask me. It will be better you ask Pawar,who is a senior leader,about his motive behind meeting Thackeray,” he said adding that “democratically elected” government will perform its duty “as expected”.

In a strong message to the Shiv Sena,the Chief Minister said all security will be provided and “any body who will try to take law in hands,try to perpetrate any violent incident,state government will take stern view and initiate legal action.”