Sena condemns Hazare arrest; says Oppn should pull down govt

Mumbai, Aug 16: Shiv Sena has condemned the arrest of social activist Anna Hazare who was prevented from going ahead with his indefinite fast demanding a "strong" Lokpal in defiance of prohibitory orders.

"We condemn Hazare's arrest," Sena Executive President Uddhav Thackeray told reporters here. "If the government is going to behave as if it is an Emergency-like situation, then this government has no right to continue," he said.

The last time when Hazare launched an agitation against corruption, Sena was the first to support it, Uddhav said.

"We are very much a part of the war against corruption," Uddhav said. "A way out can be found out through consensus. But what the government is doing, is certainly not the way," he said.

"Our stance is that all Opposition parties should come together to pull down the government," he said.

Asked what would the party do to ensure fall of the government, Uddhav said "we will abide by the party chief Bal Thackeray's directive."

PTI