Thackeray rules out BJP-NCP post poll pact

He also confirmed that he had received an assurance from BJP leaders that they wouldn8217;t enter into any pact with the NCP. 8220;The BJP high command has given a directive asking the party8217;s state leadership not to antagonise the Sena,8221; Thackeray revealed.

8220;How can the BJP join hands with Pawar who conspired to bring down the Vajpayee government at the Centre by one vote?8221; he asked.

Thackeray, however asserted that he had a contingency plan ready in the event of the BJP deciding to hobnob with NCP in Maharashtra after the elections. 8220;I will not like to disclose it now,8221; he said cryptically.

The Sena chief said there was a general agreement with the BJP that the chief minister would be from any of the alliance partners who won maximum number of seats in the Assembly elections.

He would, nevertheless, assess the performance of the chief ministerial candidate before giving his nod even if the BJP staked claim to the post.

Asked whether he would continue to be 8220;remote control8221; of the alliance government in future, Thackeray thundered 8220;I will not allow any Chief Minister of the alliance to take policy decision without consulting me8221;. He, however, made it clear that he would not like to interfere with the day-to-day working of the government.

Thackeray also revealed that he was in the process of identifying the black sheep in the party and would soon subject them to disciplinary action.

8220;I do not like Sena workers seeking rewards for the work done by them,8221; he said and asserted that he would not tolerate rebels in the party.

A high level Sena team, comprising former chief minister Manohar Joshi, senior leader Subhash Desai and speaker in dissolved assembly Dattaji Nalawade is currently touring the state to assess contribution of party workers at various levels to the election campaign.

The Sena has also expelled seven of its members for their anti-party activities.

8220;We cannot afford to neglect organisational matters,8221; the Sena Chief said.

Asked whether the revamping was prompted by an anticipated setback to the Sena in the outcome of the elections, Thackeray remarked 8220;we had captured power in 1995 when the Congress was united. How can we fare badly now when the party is split?8221;

He claimed that the Muslims were also turning to the Sena though in small numbers as their main concern was 8220;roji roti8221;.

8220;The Muslims are happy with the Sena-BJP alliance as the four and a half year of its rule was marked by communal harmony in the absence of a single instance of riot,8221; Thackeray said, adding that his party was only opposed to Muslims coming here from Bangladesh.