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Thackeray to seek dismissal of Maharashtra government

Swati Kulkarni in Bombay

"I will insist on imposition of Article 356 to dismiss the DF [Democratic Front] government if it proceeds with my prosecution under section 153(a) of the IPC [Indian Penal Code]," Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray told reporters at his suburban Bandra residence on Sunday.

"By raking up an eight-year-old case, the DF government has shown a vengeful attitude. If something untoward happens, the responsibility for it will rest with the DF government," he warned.

"The success of the spontaneous bandh and related incidents following rumours of my arrest last night have only shown the Sena's strength," he claimed.

Thackeray said he was ready to be arrested provided Chhagan Bhujbal does not remain Maharashtra's home minister. "I am not willing to be prosecuted on the orders of the incumbent home minister," he said in a statement.

Reacting to this, Chief Minister Vilas Deshmukh said, "Let them do what they want to do. My government has done its job."

Deshmukh criticised the opposition party for boycotting the customary tea party on the eve of the legislature session, which begins on Monday. "There was no need for them to do that. They could have voiced their opinion against any of our decisions at the tea party. Why boycott it?"

Justifying the boycott, Sena politician Narayan Rane, leader of the Opposition in the assembly, said, "Nearly 600 Adivasi children have died of malnourishment at Nandurbar, Dhule and Melghat, but the state government is only interested in an eight-year-old case."

Meanwhile, Thane district Shiv Sena chief Anand Dighe has called for a bandh (closure) in the entire district on Monday, to protest against the government's green signal to prosecute Thackeray.

Earlier, at least four persons were arrested as 12 incidents of stone-pelting and three incidents of blocking trains were reported from different parts of Bombay. But there was no big trouble anywhere in the city or the rest of the state.

Shiv Sena workers went around in the morning threatening shopkeepers to keep their establishments closed. They also squatted on the railway tracks at Kurla, Mulund and Vidyavihar on the Central Railway, delaying suburban services.

Later, in a statement in the afternoon, Thackeray asked his activists to keep calm. "You must not let your affection for me affect the life of the common man," he said.

Jet Airways services were hit when workers loyal to the Sena refused to load baggage onto the flights. Some flights were cancelled while others were combined. The airline reported normal resumption of its flights from 1530 IST.

The Sena's bandh call in Kolhapur, Aurangabad and Nasik also evoked mixed response. Twenty-seven activists, including Kolhapur district Sena chief Ram Chavan, were rounded up as a precautionary measure.

EARLIER REPORTS:
Bhujbal sanctions Thackeray, Azmi's prosecution
Thackeray warns of trouble
Foolish act, says Thackeray's nephew

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