Date:20/04/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/04/20/stories/2003042004460800.htm

National

Thackeray flays PM's offer to Pak.

By Our Special Correspondent

MUMBAI APRIL 19. The Shiv Sena chief, Bal Thackeray, is miffed with the Bharatiya Janata Party, this time on the ground that the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee's willingness to offer a "hand of friendship'' to Pakistan. He said the inimical neighbouring country does not deserve such a magnanimous gesture. Though the Shiv Sena is a partner of the NDA, the BJP leadership does not anymore discuss critical issues with it. This was not the time for such an offer but "only for action'' and "a tough stance'' to ensure that cross-border terrorism came to a halt.

Mr. Thackeray glossed over the fact that Mr. Vajpayee had said in Srinagar on Friday that initiatives should come "from both sides.''