Sena threatens to break alliance

MUMBAI, Nov 23 (PTI) — Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray today threatened to break off his party’s alliance with the BJP over allowing the Pakistani cricket team to play in India early next year giving a new turn to the ongoing tussle between the two parties over the issue.

"Now it is for the BJP to decide whether they would like to continue the alliance or not, so the ball is in the BJP’s court and not in our court. We are waiting to see which way they will retaliate, if they want to break let them break. If not, well and good. But if worse comes to worse we are prepared," he told a private TV channel.

Alluding to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s statement that the Centre would ensure there was no obstruction to the tour, Mr Thackeray reiterated. "I am not prepared to change my stand and the Pakistani cricketers will not be allowed to play at any cost in Maharashtra."

Mr Thackeray has opposed the tour on the ground that Pakistan was abetting terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and also indulging in subversive acts in rest of the country.

"The sena chief also criticised Defence Minister George Fernandes for his statement at Patna yesterday that Thackeray’s utterances on the Pakistani cricket team should not be taken seriously as he was apt to change his views.

"You (Fernandes) have changed your party, but you are accusing me of changing my views," he quipped.

Mr Fernandes had also toned down his anti-China stance, he added.