PM’s remark on objections to ceasefire unwarranted, says Uddhav

PM’s remark on objections to ceasefire unwarranted, says Uddhav
PRAFULLA MARPAKWAR

MUMBAI, NOV 23: Even as Shiv Sena has absolutely no plans to withdraw from the National Democratic Alliance, it took strong objection to the statement of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee that the threat to his new initiative in Jammu and Kashmir was not from the militants, but from those who were demanding withdrawal of ceasefire.

‘‘In view of the increasing cross border terrorism and stepped up activities of the militants, we had protested against the suspension of combat operations in the Kashmir valley. Under such circumstances, the observations of Atal Behari Vajpayee that the threat to the new initiative was not from the militants, but was from within was very unfortunate,’’ senior Sena leader Udhav Thackeray said.

If the threat was from those who were demanding withdrawal of the ceasefire even before it came into force, then the moot question was how the BJP has electoral understanding with the Shiv Sena for more than a decade. ‘‘We are electoral partners for last more than 12 years. When there was no alliance, BJP used to get one or two seats in Parliament. Now suddenly, BJP has realised that it has a threat from the Shiv Sena,’’ he remarked.

Shiv Sena is the only party which has protested against the decision. Under such circumstances, the statement of the Prime Minister was aimed at the Shiv Sena. It was upset with the observations of the Prime Minister, he said.

When asked if the Shiv Sena, which has three cabinet members, Manohar Joshi, Suresh Prabhu and Balasaheb Vikhe Patil, will withdraw its support to the the National Democratic Alliance-led government, Udhav Thackeray said there was no such plan. ‘‘We have done our duty. We have expressed our strong displeasure against the ceasefire,’’ he added.