Thackeray supports Munde; but advises him to be cautious

Mumbai, Apr 22 (UNI) Shiv Sena Chief Bal Thackeray has advised BJP National General Secretary Gopinath Munde not to take any hasty decision nor be carried away by ''Aage Badho''slogans.

Mr Munde had announced his resignation from all organisational posts of the party, apparently miffed over the appointment of Madhu Chavan as the city unit president last Sunday.

In an editorial in the Shiv Sena mouthpiece 'Saamna', which said: ''Two victims of suffocation -Gopinath Munde'', Mr Thackeray said he would always give blessings to Mr Munde.

He also referred that apart from the power struggle between state NJP president Nitin Gadkari-Vinod Tawde combine and Mr Munde, systematic marginalisation of Mahajan supporters was going on in the party.

Justifying Mr Munde's demand to give the Rajya Sabha seat to Rekha Mahajan, the editorial said it did not wish to add fuel to the fire. Thackeray said the BJP was given the OBC face due to the leadership of Mr Munde.

The editorial also referred to Datta Meghe, who left the NCP on the same day when Mr Munde announced his resignation from the party posts.

Mr Thackeray added that Mr Meghe had called on him but he preferred to remain loyal to Sharad Pawar and finally within two months left the party.

UNI JM OBB PY AS1640