No ill-will against the President: Thackeray

Mumbai, Feb 3: Denying that he had ever cast aspersions on president Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray today said he had only referred to the Mohammed Afzal Guru hanging case since the matter had been pending for a considerable time.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Thackeray, who began his career as a cartoonist, said that some of his remarks against the President were made from a cartoonist's view point and were not intended to refer to his religious affiliations.

While addressing a public rally at Thane recently, Mr Thackeray had spoken about the delay in Afzal Guru's hanging and had remarked that the President was unable to see anything due to his long hair.

''I will give him a pair of scissors so that he can cut his hair,'' Mr Thackeray had remarked.

Meanwhile, commenting on the Sena's ''Hindutva'' plank, Mr Thackeray said it is only ''united Hindutva'' that could defeat Islamic terrorism. On the victory in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, Mr Thackeray said it was a win for the ''Marathi manoos''.

Queried about the prevailing situation in Mumbai, the Sena chief remarked that Mumbai, which was recognised as the financial capital of the country, has transformed into a ''terrorist capital''.

Mr Thackeray, however, refused to answer questions pertaining to his nephew Raj Thackeray. ''That chapter is closed,'' Mr Thackeray said. Asked if Raj had telephoned him after declaration of the municipal corporation election results, Mr Thackeray replied, ''Ye Hamara Private Business Hai (This is our personal matter)''.

UNI

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