``Once the civil war begins, you will seek my help to resolve the situation. But in view of my experience, particularly the manner in which the country responded to my opposition to the Pakistan cricket team's tour, I will not accept the leadership in that hour of crisis,'' Thackeray told mediapersons.

Thackeray said the country had witnessed the assassination of Indira Gandhi in 1984, followed by the assassination of her son Rajiv in 1991 and now it was heading for a civil war owing to the lack of commitment for the cause of the nation.

``When I imposed a ban on the entry of Pakistan's cricket team, the entire nation, along with the fourth estate, condemned me for my decision without understanding the reasons for giving such a call. At a juncture when Pakistan is all set to destroy our country, there is absolutely no propriety for us to welcomethe cricket team of such a nation,'' Thackeray pointed out.

The Sena chief said despite the fact that Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) had stepped up activities in the country, particularly in the Kashmir Valley, he called off the agitation following Home Minister L K Advani's intervention in the larger interest of the nation. At the same time, he said, he had informed Advani that he had undertaken a task the Home Minister could not.

``It is true that my Sena workers dug up the pitches at Wankhede stadium in Mumbai and also at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground in New Delhi. I am proud of my party workers as they have done it in the national interest,'' Thackeray added.

Thackeray said he did not compromise on his views against Pakistan, adding there was no point in playing cricket with such a country, which is ``directly or indirectly responsible'' for the killing of atleast 3,000 jawans on the border.

On the demand for his arrest, Thackeray said he was prepared to face any jail term for thecause of the nation.

Thackeray did not comment on the adverse comments by Congress president Sonia Gandhi against the alliance government, saying she was an ``immature politician'' since she had only recently entered politics.

However, Thackeray came down heavily on the electorate, saying it will be ``most unfortunate if a foreigner becomes the Prime Minister of India.''

``Even 50 years after Independence, if we are unable to produce a Prime Minister, then it is most shameful. Then I will say, the Quit India movement was a futile exercise. Unfortunately, the entire media appears to be with her,'' Thackeray remarked.

Commenting on the recent threat to his life by an ISI agent, Thackeray said it was not new since he was on top of the ISI hit list. ``It is the responsibility of the Government to take necessary steps... But I feel that the fresh threat by ISI is not linked to the agitation against the Pakistan cricket team's visit to India,'' he added.

Thackeray refused to comment on the public interestlitigation against Chief Minister Manohar Joshi before a division bench of the Bombay High Court comprising Justice B N Srikrishna and Justice S S Parkar. When it was pointed out that the case was being heard by a judge who was criticised by him, Thackeray refused to comment, saying it would be improper for him to comment on a sub-judice matter.

Asked if he would sack the Chief Minister in the event of strictures being passed against him, Thackeray said it would be premature to make observations on the outcome of the case.