In an interview with The Indian Express, Chief Minister Narayan Rane said so much. ``Both Shiv Sena and BJP have agreed on the proposal which envisages that BJP will not admit any of the Shiv Sena activists. Simultaneously, the Shiv Sena has also assured the BJP that it will not entertain any of the BJP workers. Such a step was essential to win a clear majority in the forthcoming elections to the assembly,'' Rane said.

And in another attempt to hammer in a united front, a joint convention of the Shiv Sena and BJP is beingplanned at Kolhapur in April or May. This will be in addition to joint tours by the leaders of the two parties.

The spirit of understanding is permeating all the levels of the alliance with a four-member high-level Cabinet team comprising Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Rural Development Minister and Education Minister being set up for more effective coordination between Shiv Sena and BJP at the government level. ``The committee meets at least once in a week to resolve pending issues and consider new proposals. So far, the committee has been able to deliver the goods to the satisfaction of the alliance,'' Rane added.

The Shiv Sena is also begun talking tough to the Independents. ``Shiv Sena has given them an ultimatum. I feel that they should decide their political party within next two months so that it will help Shiv Sena select its candidate for the elections. They are free to join either the Shiv Sena or BJP or any other party, but they should take a decision within a specified period,'' Ranesaid.

On the performance of his Cabinet colleagues and top bureaucrats, Rane said a comprehensive code of conduct has been drafted to ensure that they devote more time for the cause of the government as well as the people.

``Parliamentary affairs Minister Leeladhar Dake has drafted the new code for the cabinet members as well as bureaucrats. We expect that either a cabinet minister or his deputy to be present in Mantralaya on all working days. Similar instructions have been given to the bureaucrats,'' Rane informed.

Despite criticism over the deteriorating law and order situation, Rane said it was well under control as compared to the erstwhile Congress rule. ``We have been able to curb the gangland activities. Now armed with the Maharashtra Organised Crime Control Ordinance, I am sure the police will be able to deal with the gangsters with an iron hand. In addition, we have given a complete free hand to the Mumbai police to tackle terrorism,'' he remarked.

The Chief Minister admitted that BalThackeray's dream project of providing free houses to 40 lakh slumdwellers has not been able to take off in a real sense owing to unexpected fall in the prices of real estate as well as frequent intervention of the courts. ``Though the scheme is not successful so far, we will try to provide at least 50,000 houses within a year to the slumdwellers,'' he said.

Referring to the criticism of the alliance government for its complete failure to provide employment to 27 lakh jobless youths, Rane said though, it was a national problem, his government has done remarkably well in that area too. ``We have been able to provide employment to a large number of youths in construction industry. A large number of youths have taken up assignment in on-going construction works for irrigation projects, roads, bridges and flyover and also drinking water supply schemes under taken by the rural development department,'' he said.