The occasion was a brain-storming session on strategy for campaigning for the elections and present was a battery of the top brass of the Shiv Sena and all the nominees of the party for the ensuing elections.

Acutely aware of the negative image the party has managed for itself as one which loves to show its muscle power (such as during the string of assaults on Missionary schools in Mumbai even as late as last month), Thackeray, in his hour-long speech, gave a list of do's and don'ts to all the candidates and local party functionaries on campaign style and the issues they should take up and refrain from.

Thackeray asked the candidates to give more emphasis to the performance of the alliance government during thelast-four-and-half years, particularly the welfare and developmental schemes implemented by the administration in a time-bound period.

The Shiv Sena chief asked the party functionaries to refrain from either picking up quarrels with election officials for perceived excesses in implementation of the code of conduct or discuss the role of Sharad Pawar and Sonia Gandhi.

``If you have any problem either with the Returning Officer or any officials of the election branch, do not enter into argument with them. Send your complaint on fax to the party office, which will take care of such complaints,'' Thackeray told the meeting.

On issues like the recent Kargil conflict, Sharad Pawar, Sonia Gandhi or election symbols allotted to newly formed parties, Thackeray felt that such issues should be left to senior leaders since they would be in a position to elaborate on the ramifications of national and international issues more carefully and in keeping with the party policy.

Thackeray asked the party functionariesto ensure that voters do not leave Mumbai owing to the Ganpati festival so that they may cast their franchise on September 11 though he did not specify how that could be achieved. ``We had represented to the Election Commission to change dates of polling. Since there is no response from the commission, it is our duty to ensure they exercise their franchise,'' the Sena chief remarked.

Thackeray was preceded by Chief Minister Narayan Rane, former Chief Minister Manohar Joshi, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray and Subhash Desai.

Earlier, Rane preceded Thackeray in his ``be good'' message for his party. Rane warned workers against the perils of rushing into physical assault on government officials, because of the damage it was causing the party. The Chief Minister told them if any one has a grudge against an official, they should bring to his notice. ``Whenever necessary, we will initiate stringent action against the erring officials, but please do not take law in your hand,'' he appealed.

Desai elaboratedon the code of conduct and also to the precautions to be taken during the campaign period.

Plans were drawn up for top leaders, Uddhav, Raj, Rane and Joshi to tour Vidarbha and Marathwada from next week. Rane will visit Marathwada on August 13. Uddhav and Raj will visit Vidarbha from August 15.