Though there is no atmosphere of uncertainty, it is true that there was an attempt to destabilise my government. I have thwarted that attempt with my political skill and now I am firmly in the saddle. I will complete my five-year tenure and there is absolutely no threat to my government.

Unfortunately, a section of Shiv Sena legislators were involved in the ugly game. Apparently, they were Even three years after he took over as the chief minister of Maharashtra, Shiv Sena's Manohar Joshi continues to live on the edge. If it is not the dissidents within the Sena or an aggressive opposition, it is his own boss, Bal Thackeray, who creates problems for him. And this week, it was the turn of his minister Suresh Nawale. Nawale has been sacked but Joshi's problems are far from over. He speaks to Prafulla Marpakwar. Excerpts:

Though there is no atmosphere of uncertainty, it is true that there was an attempt to destabilise my government. I have thwarted that attempt with my political skill and now I am firmly in the saddle. I will complete my five-year tenure and there is absolutely no threat to my government.

Unfortunately, a section of Shiv Sena legislators were involved in the ugly game. Apparently, they wereacting at the behest of an outsider politician. I have not made an attempt to identify that outsider.

The anti-party activities have been brought to the notice of Thackeray. Since he is the party chief, it is for him to decide the nature of disciplinary action against the erring party legislators.

This government has never faced any serious crisis. On occasions, Thackeray had expressed displeasure over the performance of the government. My government has already taken corrective measures on his advice.

As far as my knowledge is concerned, there is no such proposal. Neither Thackeray norMahajan ever told me that they were planning to replace me.

These are all rumours. However, it is the prerogative of Thackeray to elect the leader of the Shiv Sena legislature party. After the massive debacle of the Shiv Sena in the Lok Sabha elections, I had submitted my resignation to him. The moment he accepts my resignation, I will quit the post. I am not the kind of person who will stick to the post for the sake of power.

Since I have not been asked to quit, there is no question of my successor. However, I will be happy if a Sena activist succeeds me.

I do not thinkthat such a large number of party legislators were planning to quit the party and join Naik's front. But it is certainly true that of late, anti-party activities have begun in the party and the party has already taken stern measures to curb indiscipline.

From police reports, it appears that Shiv Sena workers had gone to Nawale's official residence. They were expressing resentment over his anti-party activities. I feel that in a democracy, one has the right to protest against such activities. However, the mode of expression chosen by the Sena workers was not acceptable.

While I am not concerned about the remarks of my cabinet colleagues, I feel that there was a delay on my part to dismiss the minister.

The Shiv Sena and its chief Bal Thackeray have not given importance to the caste of a person. Thackeray's decisions are based on merit and performance of an individual.

I don't think that such a campaign is going on against me. If such a campaign has been initiated, it will be most unfortunate. Let me make it clear, I am chief minister not because I am a Brahmin, but I am there because Thackeray wants me there. I have been in politics for more than three decades and have been associated with the Shiv Sena ever since its inception. In the Sena, caste politics has always occupied a back seat. In my decisions, caste was never a consideration. If any one brings it (any such incident) to my notice, I will quit politics for ever.

What shocked and surprised me was the timing when my caste has become the subject ofdiscussion. No one discussed my caste during my three-and-a-half years in office. Then, I was a good administrator and efficient chief minister. Suddenly, because I am Brahmin, I have become bad. I feel that we should come above caste and creed considerations.

My actions will prove that I am not casteist. Let me make it clear that I am denying all the allegations against me. At the same time, it is also true that under no circumstances am I in a position to change my caste.

Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.

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