Shiv Sena-BJP alliance to stay

MUMBAI, Nov 24 (PTI) — The Shiv Sena today appeared to backtrack on its threat to break the alliance with the BJP in Maharashtra over the Pakistan cricket tour to India next year even as senior Congress leader Sharad Pawar dismissed the possibility of the Sena-BJP government falling on the issue.

Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray said here that while he continued to be firm on his opposition to the Pakistani cricketers playing in India, he did not want to topple the Maharashtra Government and it was for the BJP, the alliance partner, to decide if it wanted to snap ties.

In an interview to Aaj Tak, Mr Thackeray pointed out that India in the past had banned sporting links with South Africa on the issue of apartheid or racial discrimination. "What is wrong if I oppose Pakistani terrorism?" he asked.

Earlier, Chief Minister Manohar Joshi told mediapersons after a special Cabinet meeting at Aurangabad that the Sena-BJP government would remain intact despite differences that had cropped up between the two parties over the Pakistani team’s visit.

Opposition leader in the Lok Sabha Sharad Pawar told PTI here that the Sena and the BJP would not break the alliance as they wanted to stick to power. "Mr Thackeray threatened not to allow the Pakistani team in Maharashtra as he was fully aware that as per the itinerary finalised by the Cricket Control Board, no matches were scheduled in the state."

NEW DELHI: The BJP on Tuesday declined to comment on Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray’s statement on not allowing the Pakistani cricket team to play in Maharashtra during its visit to India next year and his threat to break the alliance with the party in the state over the issue.

"Whatever has to be said has been said by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on this issue", party spokesman Venkaiah Naidu told newspersons here.

Mr Vajpayee had said on Saturday that the Centre would ensure no organisation or individual obstructed the Pakistani cricketers during their proposed tour.

Mr Thackeray reacted to it by telling a private TV channel: "I am not prepared to change my stand and the Pakistani cricketers will not be allowed to play at any cost in Maharashtra."

He also said that now it was up to the BJP to decide whether it wanted the alliance to continue.