Panel probing May breakdown goes easy on Spanco

NAGPUR: Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray maybe sparring with anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare but the effect of his campaign is clear on the party. Deputy mayor and district party chief Shekhar Sawarbandhe said the party will give preference to candidates who are honest and have no criminal background for the NMC elections. Sawarbandhe, who himself has a post graduate degree, said that this time candidates must at least be a tenth class pass.

Sena has started preparations for civic polls. "Collective leadership and alliance with Bharatiya Janata Party will steer us to victory in civic election. A team of state unit recently visited the city and finalised the action plan for the polls. The party has started accepting forms from candidates," Sawarbandhe told TOI.

The ruling BJP-Shiv Sena are busy planning strategy and as is the Congress that has already held several meetings in the presence of state ministers and leaders in the city.

"We have a started mass communication programme. Our corporators and party leaders are working at ward levels to strengthen the network. There is no leadership crisis in the party. We are united and committed to retain power in NAGPUR municipal corporation," Sawarbandhe said.

In last civic polls, Sena had won from eight seats though it contest from 12. This time, the party is eyeing more seats, claimed the deputy mayor. The party has a strong base and committed voters in Nagpur, he said. "The response to the gatherings reflected the feelings of the masses. We are encouraged by the support and will continue our work ahead of the polls," he said.

The Congress and NCP's performance in both state and Centre has been dismal and the BJP-Shiv Sena has gained strength in city. The recent fuel hike will also help the alliance win votes, he added.

Interested candidates can collect the forms from the party office near Reshimbagh from 7 pm to 9 pm, he said, adding they will be accepted till November 15.

Anna Hazare's fast was like five-star event: Bal Thackeray

MUMBAI: Bal Thackeray was locked in a war of words on Friday with Anna Hazare who was warned not to indulge in 'enmity' and pick up a fight after the Gandhian mocked Shiv Sena chief's old age.

"You are younger to me. This childishness does not behove you," Thackeray (85) said after the anti-corruption crusader riled the Sena supremo over his remarks at the Sena's annual Dussehra rally here on Thursday.

During his speech, Thackeray had termed 74-year-old Hazare's anti-corruption movement a 'joke.' "Anna, corruption will not end in this country. Big fish are involved in this. Your net will get torn, but these fish will not be caught," he said.

Responding to the Sena chief's remarks, Hazare had mocked Thackeray's growing age. In a statement issued here on Friday, Thackeray said, "we can give a befitting reply to what Anna has said, because we are not Gandhian. Because you mentioned my rising age, let me tell you that you are younger to me and this childishness does not behove you." "Don't unnecessarily have enmity with us," Thackeray warned Hazare.

Thackeray on Thursday took potshots at Hazare saying his 13-day fast in Delhi in September looked like a "five-star" event. "It was a five-star fast...Do not make a mockery of (issue of) corruption," he said. "Anna, you are trying honestly to fight corruption, but the corruption would not go away this way..." Thackeray had said. He referred to the huge arrangements at the fast venue, Ramlila Ground in Delhi, including the arrangement for "meals for 35,000 people".

Reacting to the remarks, Hazare told reporters in Ralegan Siddhi that "whatever he (Thackeray) felt right, he said. We will do whatever we think is right". One should have the power to "bear insults", he added. The Sena had supported Hazare's anti-graft agitation earlier, and Thackeray's grandson, Aditya, had met the Gandhian during the fast.

Bal Thackeray calls Hazare's fast 'five-star'

MUMBAI: In a veiled attack on Anna Hazare, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on Thursday said his fast looked like a "five-star" event, a comment which left the social activist unfazed.

"It was a five-star fast...Do not make a mockery of (issue of) corruption," he said.

"Anna, you are trying honestly to fight corruption, but the corruption would not go away this way..." Thackeray said at a Dussehra rally of Shiv Sena at Shivaji Park here.

He referred to the huge arrangements at the fast venue, Ramlila Ground in Delhi, including the arrangement for "meals for 35,000 people".

Reacting to the remarks, Hazare told reporters in Ralegan Siddhi that "whatever he (Thackeray) felt right, he said. We will do whatever we think is right".

One should have the power to "bear insults", he added. The Sena had supported Hazare's agitation earlier, and Thackeray's grandson, Aditya, had met Hazare during the fast.

Sena leader equates Hazare, Thackeray with Phule

Jalna (Maha): Senior Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi on Wednesday sought to equate Anna Hazare and Sena chief Bal Thackeray with legendary social reformer from Maharashtra Jyotiba Phule.

Phule had worked for social causes and against casteism. Hazare and Thackeray were working on the similar lines, the former Chief Minister said here in central Maharashtra.

Joshi was speaking after unveiling a statue of Phule at Jalna Municipal Council (JMC).

The former Lok Sabha Speaker said there was a misconception that Phule was against the Brahmins. The social reformer was against people who exploited weaker sections of the society.

Phule had worked for free and compulsory education to all. He had also worked against superstition and religious rituals, Joshi said.

RPI leader Ramdas Athavale, speaking on the occasion, hinted at his party's alliance with the Sena-BJP combine in the next Assembly elections.

The Sena-BJP alliance will come to power in the state in next polls scheduled in 2014, Athavale stated.