MUMBAI, July 28: When Suburban District Collector V L Gavai struck out his name from the electoral register tonight, the Shiv Sena chief's reaction was one of sarcasm. ``The decision is one of the biggest victories of democracy, he remarked. But in the same vein he added that ``certainly, we will not challenge the decision of the President of India as well as of the Election Commission, but I feel that the constitutional head of the nation should reconsider the decision.''Thackeray categorically ruled out any adverse impact of the decision on the alliance's chances in the ensuing elections. ``They can debar me from voting, but they cannot prohibit me from garnering votes for the party. I feel that people will vote for the alliance out of vengeance against the EC'' he added.The Sena chief's confidence clearly reflected on the Guru Poornima celebrations at his residence. Enthusiastic party workers continued to seek Thackeray's blessings on the occasion.Incidentally, Thackeray is the second party leaderafter Subhash Desai to be disenfranchised. Desai was disqualified in 1994.Meanwhile, Collector Gavai said Thackeray's name has been deleted from the electoral register with immediate effect. ``As per the provisions of the Representation of People's Act, I have given necessary instructions to S L Ahire, Electoral Officer of the Bandra Assembly constituency,'' he said.Elaborating further, Gavai said, on the day of polling, a note will be given to the polling officer. ``He will be told to ensure that the person, whose name has been deleted from the electoral register, does not exercise his franchise. In the event, if he comes, he will be prohibited from voting and he will be politely told about the decision of the EC,'' Gavai added.Replying to a question, Gavai said there was no provision of communicating the EC decision to the aggrieved person.``There is no such provision. We publish the order of the EC in the gazette and instructions are given to the polling officer,'' Gavai said.Meanwhile, BJPspokesman Prakash Jawdekar said the decision of the Election Commission was not only unfortunate, but outrageous too. ``The order will have little practical effect since he is not a candidate for the Lok Sabha or assembly polls,'' Jawdekar said.In view of the unprecedented order, Jawdekar said political parties will have to deliberate on the concept of Hindutwa.``Thackeray has been accused of indulging in corrupt electoral practice since he sought votes in the name of religion,'' Jawdekar pointed out.The BJP will take a lead in fresh interpretation of Hidutwa vis-a-vis secularism. ``We will carefully study the notification issued by the Election Commission and then react on it,'' he said. The Nationalist Congress Party as well as the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee have welcomed the order.``In view of the ordern, Thackeray has no moral right to seek votes for the alliance,'' state NCP president Chhagan Bhujbal said.
