Rajnath calls on Thackeray

Mumbai, Sep 23 (UNI) BJP president Rajnath Singh today paid a courtesy call on Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray at his residence ''Matoshri'' in Bandra, a western suburb here.

Speaking to mediapersons, after the meeting, that lasted for half-an-hour, Mr Singh said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should formulate stringent measures to combat terrorism.

He said the confidence building measures (CBM) should be withdrawn, if Pakistan is not ready to cooperate in combating terrorism.

Mr Singh said BJP is a secular party and not involved in any communal violence.

He said there was no hurdle in the 24-year-old alliance between Shiv Sena and BJP and that the division of seats for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections would be announced by the end of October.

UNI JM SR PD AS1828