Munde’s exit won’t impact Sena-BJP alliance: Thackeray

“How come Munde realised so late that he was being humiliated within BJP,” Thackeray asked. “Anyway,this is a matter of that party and I don’t have a right to interfere in their affairs,” he said.

Asked if he would speak to BJP leaders L K Advani and Nitin Gadkari on the Munde issue,Thackeray said,”Whose need? At least I don’t have any need to speak on the issue.”

The power of the saffron alliance won’t wane due to Munde’s exit,Thackeray said.

“When Munde had differences with party leadership in the past,I had stopped him (from leaving BJP) but not now. Now I won’t stop him.

“I can show one the way if one so desires. If Munde wants to consult me,the doors of Matoshree are always open for him,” he said.

Chhagan Bhujbal (now senior NCP leader),left Sena for personal reasons,Thackeray said. “Bhujbal left because he was not made Opposition leader. However,Narayan Rane (now senior state Congress leader) did not leave. He was removed,” he said.

Thackeray also took potshots at old friend and NCP chief Sharad Pawar,saying Pawar once said he will never let Sonia Gandhi become the Prime Minister but is now a part of the Congress-led government.

On the anti-corruption agitations by Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev,Thackeray said such agitations were a result of the “failure” of the politicians and enjoyed corporate support.

On a lighter note,Thackeray mentioned the “wealth of these Babas” and said,”I sometimes think I should have become one.”