Date:17/10/2002 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2002/10/17/stories/2002101707330100.htm

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Tapes of Thackeray speech may be sent to Centre: Bhujbal

Mumbai Oct. 16. The Maharashtra Government might send tapes of the Shiv Sena chief, Bal Thackeray's remarks at a public rally here on Tuesday to the Centre ``if it finds them provocative'', the Deputy Chief Minister, Chhagan Bhujbal, said today. ``The tapes of Mr. Thackeray's speech will come to us and if found provocative we will send them to the Union Home Minister, L.K. Advani,'' Mr. Bhujbal, who also holds the Home portfolio, told PTI.

Mr. Bhujbal's response came when his reaction was sought on Mr. Thackeray's statement calling upon Hindus to form suicide squads to counter the menace of terrorism. The Sena chief made the statement while addressing the party's annual Dussehra rally at the Shivaji Park in Central Mumbai.

Mr. Bhujbal said, ``Mr. Thackeray is in the habit of making controversial remarks but his last night's statement was probably made to establish that he was a more aggressive Hindutva leader than those of the BJP and the RSS.''