"Since we are determined to defeat the Congress in the by-elections, I feel that Thackeray will campaign actively. In fact, during my meeting with him two days ago, I had requested him to revoke his decision," Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde said.

Munde said as the Congress has refused to leave seats for the Republican Party of India and Samajwadi Party, Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party has a better chance compared to the last elections. "There is discontent among the RPI and Samajwadi Party workers over refusal to allot some seats to their nominees," Munde pointed out.

When his attention was drawn towards the discontent within the BJP over the recent cabinet reshuffle, Munde said that was the initial reaction, but now party workers were gearing up for the by-elections.

Agitated by the poor performance of the alliancegovernment and also series of charges of irregularities against Chief Minister Manohar Joshi, Thackeray had on March 24 declared his decision to keep off from politics for six months. Subsequently, Thackeray had convened a meeting of all the Sena ministers and legislators to explain the reasons for his unexpected decision. He had then blasted his own government for poor performance.

Though Thackeray declared his decision, he had been participating in important meetings and programmes connected with the government. Last week, Thackeray had addressed a meeting at the residence of Mayor in connection with the legislative council election from Thane local self government constituency and had also met a high-level delegation led by Bharatiya Janata Party leaders Anna Dange, Sharad Kulkarni and Suryabhan Wahadane.