BJP-Sena split not possible: Thackeray

MUMBAI, DEC 24: Amid reports of a growing rift between the Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party in the state and demands by a section...

MUMBAI, DEC 24: Amid reports of a growing rift between the Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party in the state and demands by a section of the BJP leadership to call off the alliance, Sena chief Bal Thackeray today said that the allies have gone too far down the road to part ways.

8220;At a juncture when the alliance government has registered significant progress in all sectors, there is no reason for a divorce,8221; Thackeray told The Indian Express. 8220;While I am not qualified to speak for the BJP, as far as the Shiv Sena is concerned, the alliance is intact and will contest the Assembly elections as one,8221; the Sena supremo added.

BJP leader and Information and Broadcasting Minister Pramod Mahajan as well as Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde had on several occasions indicated that all was not well with the alliance due to differences on major policy issues.

Thackeray however said he was unaware of any such observation by BJP functionaries.

8220;Even if they so desire, we have now reached a pointwhere a divorce is not possible,8221; he said.

On the row over the Independents and their reported attempts to join the Congress before the Assembly elections, Thackeray said 22 Independent legislators were with the alliance ever since it came to power in March 1995.

8220;The Independents were basically fielded by Congress leader Sharad Pawar, who wanted to capture power by hook or crook. Now that 22 of them are with us, it is our duty to consider their nomination for the Assembly elections,8221; the Sena chief said.

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And if a section of the Independent legislators 8212; along with some Shiv Sena rebels 8212; did switch over to the Congress, they would pose no threat to the government, Thackeray asserted.

8220;There were reports during the winter session of the State Legislature that the government would be toppled with the help of Independent and rebel Sena legislators, he said.But 8220;that will not happen,8221; he stressed.

The Sena chief also maintained that the law and order situation was 8220;much better8221; now thanduring the Congress rule in the state. 8220;When Sharad Pawar was Chief Minister, Mumbai witnessed the murders of five sitting legislators in broad legislators, and yet, the media remained silent,8221; the Sena chief alleged.

8220;Now, even for small incidents, the fourth estate blames us. This is a great injustice.8221;

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When Pawar was Defence Minister, he had flown some of the accused in the JJ shootout case in his official plane, but no responsibility was fixed on him despite the fact that he was holding a high post, Thackeray said.

As for the controversial Sahara land deal, Thackeray said he was in favour of 8220;such developmental projects.8221;

8220;Developmental projects should not be objected to if they are for the masses.8221;

8220;At the same time,8221; he said, 8220;organisations like Sahara India Housing Limited should ensure that there is no violation of the existing rules and legislations.8221;

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When reminded of the observation made by the High Court that the procurement of land had violated the Maharashtra Land RevenueCode and Bombay Tenancy Act, Thackeray said it was the government8217;s responsibility to ensure that there was no violation of rules.

8220;Chief Minister Manohar Joshi has already declared that unauthorised and illegal constructions will be demolished within a time-bound period, and as such, there should be no objection to the project,8221; he said.