Thackeray snubs BJP, keeps away from dinner

Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray refused to break bread today with A.B. Vajpayee on the sidelines of the BJP8217;s national executive.The Sena...

Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray refused to break bread today with A.B. Vajpayee on the sidelines of the BJP8217;s national executive.

The Sena chief8217;s decision, which he preferred to convey to his hosts through a press conference, came less than 24 hours after BJP general secretary Pramod Mahajan announced that Thackeray and his son would share a high table with Vajpayee and Advani at a banquet on the first day of the three-day session.

8216;8216;If I want to talk to Vajpayee, I will meet him alone or go to Delhi. I will not attend the dinner. I may send a representative, probably Uddhav,8217;8217; Thackeray said.

The BJP maintained it was unaware of Thackeray8217;s decision. 8216;8216;Officially, we have not received any information in this regard. We have got to know about it from the TV channels,8217;8217; BJP Maharashtra chief Gopinath Munde said.

Sena sources said Thackeray decided to stay away because he was piqued that the announcement was made without consulting him. Initially, it was proposed that Thackeray, Vajpayee and some leaders from both sides would meet, exclusively, to take stock of the political situation. However, this plan was amended and it was announced that Thackeray would be seated with Vajpayee and Advani in a hall where 200-odd BJP delegates would join them for dinner. Thackeray wasn8217;t impressed.

The Sena chief has been keen to exchange views with Vajpayee and Advani on the reasons for the Lok Sabha debacle, stressing that the party would need to revert to hardline Hindutva. Today, he did a turnaround. 8216;8216;The Sena has decided what we will do, it is now for the BJP to decide which course they want to follow. What is there to discuss?8217;8217; said Thackeray. 8216;8216;The appeasement policy of the BJP did not help them much. Before the elections, I asked BJP leaders if they would increase their tally of 182 seats, no one was sure,8217;8217; said Thackeray. Slamming the BJP leadership for failing to defend Narendra Modi, he said the party was allowing itself to be pressured on his removal. 8216;8216;It is an issue created by the Opposition. Why are you thinking of removing him under pressure? You think of the interests of your party,8217;8217; he said.