Thackeray would lay "green" carpet for Pak

BJP’s condemnation of the Kotla incident only strengthened the steady but misdirected flow of vitriol from the Sena chief. Stopping short of accusing the ruling party ofbartering the country’s national interests, Thackeray says that is certainly not reason enough for his foot soldiers to create problems for the BJP at the Centre.

Of course, he continues, there is nothing wrong with the BJP softening its stand on Hindutva “since international interests are more important than national ones.”

Thackeray says despite the widespread condemnation of the Sainiks who took shovels to the pitch, Sena workers should give the Pakistani team a rousing welcome. And, if there is any more gardening at pitches, chief ministers of states where matches will be played should arrest these erring Sainiks and punish them in a manner that would make them feel they are not citizens of India, but Hindu citizens of Pakistan. Cricket pitches are more important than lives of youth whose hearts bleed for their country, he concludes, leaving little scope for argument.