Thackeray Jr warns pre-election agitation in Maharashtra

Mumbai, Jun 19 (UNI) Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray today threatened to launch a state-wide agitation, if the Congress-led Democratic Front government in Maharashtra failed to solve the problem of the shortage of farm inputs within a week's time.

Addressing a convention to mark the party's 42nd foundation day here, Thackeray junior virtually set the agenda for the general elections and state assembly elections due next year and exuded confidence that the ruling coalition will face the wrath of the people.

Uddhav, who had yesterday declared in the party's mouthpiece 'Saamna' that Shiv Sena-BJP combine is bound to return to power in the state and the former will retain the post of chief minister, took full command of Sainiks in the convention in the absence of the party supremo Bal Thackeray.

Pooh-poohing the government's contention to investigate into Bal Thackeray's call to form 'Hindu human bomb' squads in an editorial of the party's mouthpiece, he said ''let the government do that, but it also investigate statements made by other leaders.'' However, Thackeray Jr said the editorial was only a call asking all the Hindus to fight against terrorism, because it would not be tolerated at any cost.

The convention was attended by former Lok Sabha speaker Manohar Joshi, newly elected Thane MP Anand Paranjpe and other prominent party leaders and workers.

UNI ST/JN/PP SSS RL KN2315