'There will be high tide again': Bal Thackeray

Mumbai, Nov 6 : Undeterred by the recent electoral defeat in the state Assembly polls, Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray exuded confidence that the party will experience high tide again.

''High tide and low tide are two situations of a sea. High tide follows the low tide. Similarly, we will experience high tide (good, prosperous time) again,'' Mr Thackeray said in an interaction with the newly-elected MLAs of the party here late last night.

The Sena chief, who mostly remains indoors in his bungalow 'Matoshree' in the western suburb of Bandra due to frail health, visited the party headquarers Shiv Sena Bhavan at Dadar in Central Mumbai after a gap of two years.

''Shiv Sena has experienced many victories and defeats but it was never shattered by them. My Shiv Sainiks are brave and strong. I want to tell you one thing 'don't be afraid'. One cannot get victory until one tastes defeat,'' he said.

''You are the face of Shiv Sena. Don't get demoralised and keep on working. I am sure the saffron flag will remain fluttering at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation,'' Mr Thackeray said.

He promised to interact with the defeated candidates, corportors and Shiv Sainiks just like the MLAs.

Talking about deserters, the Sena chief said ''Those who want to leave Shiv Sena can leave it, their exit won't affect the party a bit.'' He further said the fate of Narayan Rane's supporters who had left the Sena with him was not good and no one would get a ministerial berth in the future Maharashtra Cabinet.

Talking about his controversial remarks against Marathi Manoos in an editorial in the party's mouthpiece 'Samana' following the party's defeat in recent Assembly elections, Mr Thackeray said '''Saamana' never said Marathi Manoos stabbed the Sena in the back but it was reported so in the media. Don't believe media. It has proved it time and again in case of Shiv Sena.'' He blamed that the media can be ''bought'' with money and alleged that there exists a 'packet' culture in media.

--UNI

(c) 2009 Published with permission from United News of India.
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