Thackeray sets up `Retired Jawan Trust’

Apparently, Thackeray was shocked when there was no response from the centre on a specific case of a widow, whose husband was killed during the Kargil war, recommended by him to Union Petroleum Minister Ram Naik as well as Defence Minister George Fernandes for well over two months.

“I had referred the case of a widow for allotment of petrol pump to Ram Naik. He has sent me a cyclostyled reply, saying, unless the case is approved by the Ministry of Defence, he was unable to sanction it. Subsequently, her application has been submitted to George Fernandes. The case was also taken by Fertilisers Minister Suresh Prabhu. It’s two months now, there is absolutely no response neither George spoke to me on the status of her application,” Thackeray said.

At a juncture when the centre was unable to come to the rescue of the war widows, he thought of setting up an apolitical national level trust headed by Lt Gen P N Hoon (Rtd). “The trust will basically cater to the needs of relatives of the victims of cross border terrorism as well as the next of the keen of the officials in the uniformed forces,” Thackeray said.

On the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Thackeray felt that since the Farooq Abdullah government has virtually collapsed, the centre should impose martial in the valley for the safety of the Hindus. “We can not be silent spectators to the massacre of more than 100 innocent Hindus. Under such circumstances, martial law is the only alternative,” Thackeray said.

Thackeray said though he was not happy with the centre, he was not in favour of dislodging it in the national interest. “Certainly, I am not happy. My views are very clear, but in the interest of the nation, we will not take any step that will weaken the centre,” he said.

On the row over allocation of less important portfolios to Shiv Sena cabinet members, Thackeray said he had already communicated his displeasure to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee during his recent visit to Mumbai. “I have conveyed my feelings to the Prime Minister,” he said.

Thackeray retierated that the political situation will be completely different in the event he was made the Prime Minister even for a brief period of two to three months. “Make me Prime Minister for two to three months and see what happens,” he remarked.

The Shiv Sena chief expressed strong displeasure over the inept handling of the huge funds garnered during the Kargil war. “For the cause of the victims of war, the entire country contributed. However, I am not sure if the money really reached the members of the bereaved families. My information is that it has not reached them owing to poor administration,” Thackeray added.