In a stern warning to the Shiv Sena, Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan tonight said his government would withdraw the security cover for party leader Uddhav Thackeray if he continued to instigate his party men.
The threat by Chavan came against the backdrop of Shiv Sena activists targeting more theatres and damaging cinema screens in Mumbai that are planning to show Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's new film My Name Is Khan due for release this Friday.
After the warning, Uddhav, the executive president of Shiv Sena, is reported to have responded that his security could be withdrawn by the state government.
"We have told them(Sena) that we'll withdraw security of all those people who are involved in those activities. I have already withdrawn the security of all Shiv Sena leaders, and if required, I will also withdraw the security of Uddhav Thackeray," he told CNN-IBN.
Chavan's tough talk came close on the heels of police security for three Shiv Sena leaders who protested against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's visit to the city last Friday being withdrawn. The leaders were Ravindra Waikar, MLA and BMC, Standing Committee Chairman Bala Sawant, MLA and Anil Para, MLC.
Chavan also declared his government will not tolerate Sena's 'bullying tactics' and will spare nobody who came in the way of the release of Shah Rukh's film.
"There is no question of what Shiv Sena feels about it. I have assured the people of Maharashtra that we will take strong action against anybody who will take law into their hands," he said.
"For the Sena, it has become a matter of prestige, they are losing ground politically. So a non-issue has been picked up by them to create terror in the city, but we will not, under any circumstances, tolerate this," he added.
