The BJP leadership has taken offence to Chief Minister Manohar Joshi's remarks in Kolhapur yesterday over the party's demand for a separate Vidarbha, with party president Suryabhan Wahadne Patil terming Joshi's statement as ``irresponsible''.

The strong condemnation is an indication that the BJP wants to dissociate itself from the Sena over State-related issues. Joshi reiterated the Sena's stand for a unified Maharashtra and said those who demanded a separate state were ``helping the Congress''. His remarks followed Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde's recent assurance that an official Bill for a separate Vidarbha will be introduced in the Budget session of the State Assembly.

``Joshi's observations on Munde's assurances are highly irresponsible... it will be better if Joshi does not make such irresponsible statements hereafter,'' Wahadne said in a statement, issued after senior BJP leaders met at a marathon closed-door meeting at Munde's official residence earlier today.

On a visit to Kolhapur, Joshi reiterated the Sena's stand that Maharashtra will stay united and indicated that those who tried to break the alliance over the Vidarbha issue will be helping the Congress in the final analysis.

He also said his party wanted to keep the State undivided. In the event of a division, he said, it would have no right to stake a claim on disputed border areas.

Wahadane said even before the birth of the Shiv Sena, the Jana Sangh, now the BJP, had been demanding statehood for Vidarbha. ``We are not afraid of fresh threats by Joshi. We will not give up our demand for a separate Vidarbha in the larger interest of the people there,'' Wahadane said.

Referring to Joshi's remark that the BJP demand will threaten the alliance, Wahadane said, ``It is the height of the Chief Minister's imagination. Apparently, it is Joshi's mind that is speaking''.

Wahadane had earlier condemned Housing Minister Sureshdada Jain's criticism of him and city BJP President Kirit Somaiya following a dispute over a free housing scheme for 40 lakh slumdwellers.

With Sena chief Bal Thackeray asking Joshi to provide free power to farmers, an unhealthy competition has been set into motion between the alliance partners.

Munde, who holds the Energy portfolio, refused to implement Thackeray's directive but moved a proposal to hike the procurement prices of cotton from Rs 2,100 to Rs 2,500 per quintal under the monopoly cotton procurement scheme. This proposal was stalled by the Sena in the latest Cabinet meeting.