Thackeray's reiteration will also make the BJP more uneasy as, buoyed by his long silence on the issue, it was beginning to hope that he had dropped the idea.

However, Thackeray chose today's rally at Shivaji Park to provide a moral basis to his stand by stating that `since it is my firm belief that we are in power because of the farmers, it is my responsibility to provide them free electricity. I have asked the government to find a way out to provide free power.'' As was expected, Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde was non-committal on the issue.

Significantly, it was on the same venue on the Dassera day that Thackeray had asked Chief MinisterManohar Joshi to take all possible steps to provide free power to 24 lakh farmers in the state. Subsequently, while Joshi had confirmed that his government will issue an official order in this respect, Munde had openly opposed the proposal, saying, it will not be financially viable.

The row soon became a verbal duel with Munde opposing Thackeray's proposal in public, saying, in the event the decision was implemented, the state will head for bankruptcy. Elaborating his contention, Munde had remarked that the move will heap an additional burden of Rs 2380 crore on the already precarious economy.

While a fierce debate raged, the cold war between Munde and Joshi reached a flash point with the CM asking Munde to keep his mouth shut as it was his responsibility to implement Thackeray's directive.

As there was no solution in sight, Thackeray held a meeting with BJP leader Pramod Mahajan, Joshi and Munde to resolve the row. In the meeting too, Munde made it clear that it will not be possible to provide freepower to the farmers for financial reasons. Munde's contention was that Thackeray should have consulted alliance partners before taking such a major policy decision.

Following strong opposition, Thackeray took the view that Joshi and Munde should resolve the row amicably. That was on October 15. In the meanwhile, as there was no meeting between Joshi and Munde, nor another word from Thackeray, the BJP leaders thought that the Sena chief had dropped the idea for good. However, when Thackeray reiterated his decision today, top BJP leaders expressed shock and surprise.

In his speech Thackeray said it was essential to grant major concessions to the farmers since they were affected by several hardships. ``Significantly, all calamities are being witnessed by the alliance government, while the Congress government, which was at the helm of affairs for nearly four decades, had to face a major calamity only once,'' Thackeray pointed out.

Showering praise on the alliance government, Thackeray said for the firsttime in the history of Maharashtra, there is comprehensive agriculture policy.

Earlier, Deputy CM Gopinath Munde said alliance government will take decision on providing free power to farmers as directed by Thackeray after consulting the alliance partners. But he was non-commital on the issue.

Chief Minister Manohar Joshi did not refer to the row. He merely said that his government was in favour of extending subsidies to the farmers.