Sena not bothered of mudslinging attempts made by opposition; Uddhav

Thane, Jan 6 (UNI) The Shiv Sena is not at all bothered about the mudslinging attempts made by the opposition parties to malign the Sena, who wanted its defeat in the forthcoming civic elections in Mumbai and other places, Party's Executive President Uddhav Thackeray said.

During elections these things are but natural he said.

Releasing the specially made CD on the Shiv Sena for the coming elections, listing the work done by the Sena in Thane, he said when any one does work for the citizens, there are bound to be criticisms and one should not bother it and keep on working with confidence.

In his speech last night he said ''Sena can never forget that it was Thane city and its citizens, who way back in 70's, gave an opportunity to the Sena to get elected for the first time for the civic body and after that continuously Sena was in power. What we started from Thane had spread to the entire state and we are grateful to the citizens of Thane.'' He added that the entire credit of success and growth of Sena goes to the citizens and none else. We hold the citizens in high esteem he declared.

Mr Thackeray said ''this elections were being fought in a different atmosphere and the voters should be alert and make the proper choice.'' On the issue of big leaders quitting the party he said, even though those who had grown in the Sena had quit the party, those who made them big were still in the Sena and they were the strength of the Sena and hence he was confident that the Sena will surely win the elections and return to power.

''I am not at all afraid of the exodus as the sainiks are always with me and I am sure that they will never betray me,'' he said.

''Our sainiks are capable of giving a befitting reply to the betrayers and last night incident was a small glimpse of the same,'' he said, referring to the bashing up of Shishir Shinde for his derogatory remarks on Sena at a function in the city.

Referring to the criticism by the Congress that the fourteen year term of Sena in Thane was a 'Vanvas' for the citizens, he commented ''if this was a vanvas then the Congress regime is a Narakwas.'' He added that eventhough Sena supreme Balasaheb was not in a position to visit Thane frequently, he kept a tab on the events and activities of the city. He hauled up the local leaders for each and every issue.

However, he would address election rally in Thane for this elections, Mr Uddhav declared.

In his speech, he asked the citizens not to be carried away by the false propaganda by the opposition and remember the good work done by the Sena for the city and give one more opportunity to the Sena to serve the city of Thane with more and more projects.

He later left for his election tour of Pune, Nasik and other places.

Also present on the occasion were Sena leader Manohar Joshi, Mayor Rajan Vichare, MP Prakash Paranjpe.

UNI