He refused to answer queries from mediapersons about reports of other reasons for the alliance's debacle in the State last year. Reporters who met him after the meeting of the alliance leaders and candidates at Hotel Rang Sharda, Bandra, also asked him to react to reports that the BJP was not averse to tying up with the Nationalist Congress Party in Maharashtra. While at first the Sena chief said that both Munde and Mahajan, BJP leaders, had denied such reports, when asked if he was satisfied with their replies, he said, `Why don't you ask Mahajan himself. He is here. Look, this is a gamble. I'm not for it. I don't care for power. I suggest you ask Mahajan that question,' he said.

Thackeraywas equally rattled when asked about the low turnout at the Sena-BJP rally on Monday at Girgaum Chowpatty. The alliance parties flagged off their joint campaign from the rally, addressed by both Thackeray and Mahajan. He retorted that the turnout was satisfactory.

Asked about his reference to fears of war in his speech at the rally, he said he was not predicting anything, but had said it in reference to the dangers that Pakistan may not give up easily.

Asked about trouble in the Sena with two former ministers, Shashikant Sutar and Babanrao Gholap not having taken too kindly to being denied tickets, Thackeray said this was bound to happen in electoral politics. `It's an elixir. Some people also dream of becoming chief minister,' he said taking a dig at the deputy chief minister, Munde, whom the BJP is projecting as the next chief minister of the State.

On the minorities issue, he said it was the alliance government which had given a completion certificate for the Haj House, which was pendingfor years and reduced rent for Ijtema event two years ago in Mumbai. `But they (Muslims) still choose to go with them (the opposition),' he said wryly.