Thackeray threatens to quit coalition

MUMBAI, JULY 1. The Shiv Sena, an ally of BJP-led NDA Government, would withdraw from the ruling coalition if the latter ``agrees to give away a part of Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan'' during the coming Indo- Pakistan summit, the party chief, Mr. Bal Thackeray said.

``I will stringently oppose any proposal to this effect,'' Mr. Thackeray said in an interview to the party mouthpiece ``Saamna'' today.

The Sena chief was reacting to the Samajwadi Party president, Mr. Mulayam Singh's reported charge that the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, was willing to hand over a portion of Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan to resolve the vexed border dispute between the two nations.

Mr. Thackeray said, ``This might be Mr. Mulayam Singh's thought. Mr. Vajpayee should not go ahead with it as people of this country will strongly revolt against it.''

- PTI

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