Pak behind riots, says Thackeray

PUNE, Nov 14: Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray today said that the increase in the incidence of riots, particularly in Maharashtra after t...

PUNE, Nov 14: Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray today said that the increase in the incidence of riots, particularly in Maharashtra after the Shiv Sena-BJP government lost power, could be the handiwork of some forces working in close liaison with Pakistan.

There appears to be a sinister plot by these forces to cause communal tensions all over the country even as terrorist attacks in Kashmir have still not stopped, Thackeray said addressing newspersons here.

To a question why communal tensions had flared up particularly after the Congress-led Democratic Front government assumed power in the State, Thackeray remarked that his party certainly was not responsible, but maintained that in his view these incidents had a different meaning. The people causing these tensions may not be local but must have come from somewhere else. 8220;Do not view these incidents as tensions between Hindus and Muslims. These people may have different intentions to cause large-scale riots all over the country. Remember these tensions have been caused for petty reasons and the people behind it were not willing to listen to any appeals,8221; he observed.

Thackeray also came down heavily on the present Congress government for reviving the State Minorities Commission, questioning how would the Muslims come into the national mainstream if they were treated separately. In a sarcastic remark, he said, 8220;Why not have separate commissions for the problems of Hindus, Muslims, and so on. Run the government on only these commissions.8221; He also charged that the revival of the Srikrishna Commission was only meant for taking vindictive action against the Shiv Sena.

In his opinion on the assessment of the present government, Thackeray quipped, 8220;They have not started performing, but only rehearsals are going on.8221; Maintaining that the Shiv Sena government would soon come to power, Thackeray quipped, 8220;Just wait and see how many hoppers come and join us.8221;

He said the differences with the BJP were only 8220;at local level8221; and not with the entire party. 8220;We have received an assurance from the party seniors in Delhi about the party8217;s support to form the government. They have also made it clear that the chief minister will be of the Shiv Sena, because of the high number of seats as compared to the BJP,8221; he said.

The Shiv Sena will soon form a national executive committee, Thackeray said. Office-bearers from various states including Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, will be represented in the committee, he said.