Thackeray meets party MLAs ahead of crucial June 1 council polls

Mumbai, May 30 (UNI) Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray today convened a meeting of party MLAs to discuss the strategy for the crucial June one biennial elections to the Legislative council.

The meeting was held at Mr Thackeray's residence ''Matoshree'' this morning, party sources said. Executive president Uddhav Thackeray was also present at the meeting.

With a view to guarding against the MLAs being ''approached'' by other political parties, all the MLAs have been put up at a five star hotel in the suburbs where they will stay for two days and go to Vidhan Bhawan to cast their votes.

Parshuram Uparkar and Vijay Loke are the party candidates for the polls, neccessitated due to the retirement of sitting MLCs Vilas Avchat and Kanaihyalal Gidwani on July 27.

Significantly, Gidwani quit the Sena as well as his membership of the Upper House today.

Shiv Sena MLAs owing allegience to Mr Narayan Rane like Vijay Waddetiwar, Vinayak Nimhan, Prakash Bharsakle, Manikrao Kokate were not present at the meeting.

Mr Thackeray, in today's editorial in party mouthpiece ''Saamna'' wondered why people turn ''cheats'' when not in power.

He described the two candidates as ordinary Shiv Sainiks. ''Shiv Sena has been instrumental in bringing ordinary people in decision making process. I fail to understand why people turn traitors for selfish interests. I have never taken into account caste and financial considerations of people in the Shiv Sena'', he added.

Mr Thackeray also expressed confidence that loyal Shiv Sainiks would show ''traitors'' their true place in the Legislative council polls.

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