Modi, Thackeray discuss issues

Mumbai, Dec 27 (UNI) Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today held a 30-minute parley with Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray immediately after the latter addressed a party office-bearers meeting at Goregon here this evening.

Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray, former Chief Minister Manohar Joshi, and Bharatiya Janata Party MLC Vinod Tawde were also present at the meet.

During their 30-minute meeting, Mr Thackeray and Mr Modi discussed and expressed concern over the ''Minorities appeasement policies pursued by the United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre.'' Earlier Mr Thackeray greeted Mr Modi saying, ''Maharashtra's tiger welcomes Gujarat's lion''. Mr Thackeray, who will be turning 80 on January 23, 2007, also advised Mr Modi to undertake a tour of the country to spread his message. ''Age is on your side,'' Mr Thackeray told the younger Modi.

He also apprised Mr Modi about the forthcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections and expressed confidence that the Sena-BJP alliance will sweep the polls comfortably. Mr Modi expressed his desire to extend all help in the elections.

Earlier at a function hosted by ''Vivek'', a Marathi weekly, Mr Modi stressed the need to foster social harmony and uplift the weaker sections of the society.

On the occasion, a book entitled ''Guruji Ek Swayamsevak'', authored by Mr Modi himself on the life of the second Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ''sarsanghchalak'' M S Golwalkar, was released.

Mr Modi told the gathering that Golwalkar ''Guruji'' had strived alll his life to foster social harmony.

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