CM will stay, so will Thackeray

Significantly, the entire discussion at the meeting centred around leading builder Raj Dadarkar against whom not only Congress leader R R Patil, but Thackeray himself had levelled charges of corruption.

Indirectly criticising Joshi, Thackeray pointed outthat the alliance government had lost its popularity since its welfare schemes had not reached the weaker sections of society. Joshi is understood to have assured Thackeray that he would tackle all the complaints within a time-bound period. It was also decided that they would meet after the Budget session to take stock of the situation.

The meeting only capped a day of anti-climaxes. For as early as forenoon Thackeray made a quick climbdown by announcing to eager crowds gathered outside his house that Joshi would continue. And if outburst was supposed to have shaken Joshi into rushing to Matoshree with his resignation, that didn8217;t happen either. Instead, Joshi, who kept his official engagements and was conspicuous by his absence at Thackeray8217;s residence this morning, telephonically urged Thackeray to reconsider his decision in view of the budget presentation. 8220;I will always abide by your directives and guidelines. I have never intended to hurt you in any manner,8221; Joshi reportedly said which mollifiedThackeray who then convened the late-night meeting. Joshi who was away for the whole day at Lonavala, drove straight to Thackeray8217;s residence from the airport for the meeting.

Thackeray also disappointed the crowd which was raising anti-Joshi slogans when he declared that he has no proposal to replace Joshi and that he will continue in the office for the remaining term of two years. To their dismay Thackeray not only ruled out sacking Joshi, but also handed out a good character certificate. In a confusing volte face, he announced: 8220;I have nothing personal against the Chief Minister or his government.8221;

Much to the surprise of the audience he said Joshi had done good work and declared that Joshi would continue to be CM not only for the remainder of the term but would also head the next government. Further he denied that he had accused Joshi of indulging in corrupt practices, but warned: 8220;He should be careful about mixing around with some people against whom Congress leader R R Patil had made allegationsin the assembly as this might spoil his reputation.8221;

The mood at Matoshree, the Kalanagar residence of Bal Thackeray, was both emotional and violent on Sunday morning following his decision to take a long break from active politics.

Not only the members of the fourth estate, but even senior ministers and leaders of the Sena had to face the wrath of the agitated party workers.

Soon after sunrise, groups of Sena activists began pouring in at Matoshree and by 11 am a goodly crowd gathered and shouted slogans urging Thackeray to rescind his temporary political sanyas. The crowd also denounced Joshi for his alleged links with builder Raj Dadarkar against whom Thackeray had come out strongly.

Though the Sainiks were clearly supporting Thackeray, the crowd today was much less compared to the unusual response he had received when he had declared his retirement from the Shiv Sena six years ago. Then he had addressed a huge public rally outside Sena Bhavan to revoke his decision.

Thackeray, however, stuck tohis decision, at least for the time being. Forced to come out to address the hundreds of supporters, Thackeray said, 8220;I am overwhelmed by your love and affection for me, but let me take a long break. I am tired of hearing complaints against the ministers and senior party leaders8221;.

Thackeray said he was not concerned about himself, but that the party8217;s poor performance in the polls pained him. 8220;Though the Congress was badly mauled all over the country, we could not defeat it in Maharashtra,8221; he said adding that even while small splinter groups were dictating terms at the Centre, the Sena had no role to play because of the drubbing it received.

When a section of the party workers drew his attention to erring ministers and shakha pramukhs, he remarked that it was true that some of them had become 8220;Shahenshahs8221; and that they would be removed forthwith. He also declared that in view of the rampant corruption in the State-run enterprises, he would immediately sack the non-official members of theseorganisations and instal a complaint box at Sena Bhavan so that he could himself monitor the grievances of party workers.

Just as Thackeray was winding up his speech, some party workers virtually gheraoed and abused Labour Minister Shabir Shaikh for his failure to reopen closed factories. Shaikh was followed by Minister of State for Home Gajanan Kirtikar and Sarpotdar.

Though Kirtikar was not available for comment, according to eyewitnesses, he was manhandled for his alleged failure to drop criminal cases against party activists. Seeing the mood of the party workers, Cultural Affairs Minister Pramod Navalkar and Industries Minister Leeladhar Dake left the venue without meeting their political mentor.