Bhujbal demands Thackeray’s arrest

Blaming the ruling Sena-BJP alliance partners for the incident, Bhujbal told a press conference here that Chief Minister Manohar Joshi, who is an office-bearer of the cricket body, should either act as the Chief Minister or a Shiv Sena activist.

Strongly condemning the incident, the Congress leader alleged that police acted swiftly to destroy the evidence in the office and even barred entry of newsmen and photographers. "The entire premises was sweeped and the broken trophies and cups replaced on the table before themandatory police panchnama, he said.

"This police action clearly demonstrates that Munde’s men (cops) were keen to save the Shiv Sainiks and prevent tarnishing the Sena image in public eyes," Bhujbal alleged.

Meanwhile, talking to the media at the Mantralaya today, BCCI president Raj Singh Dungarpur said that "the board will soon decide on whether the Indian cricket team should return to Mumbai from New Zealand on January 21" in view of the the attack on the BCCI headquarters and threats held out to cricketers.

"The matter is being dealt with by BCCI secretary J Y Lele," Dungarpur said adding, "security should be provided to all cricketers just as it has been to me."

When asked to comment on Sena plan to disrupt the tour, Dungarpur said, "I am quite sure that if there is more trouble at any of the venues of the Indo-Pak matches, the authorities will meet the situation squarely and appropriately."

On the threat by the Sainiks that they would release poisonous snakes during the matches,Dungarpur quipped, "We are not bothered with snakes and ladders."

But, what bothered the BCCI president more was seeing the damaged trophies. He said, "These trophies represent the cricketers sweat and sentiments of the people and yesterday’s incident amounts to an effort at destroying history and the national sporting heritage of which we are all proud."

The damage to BCCI furniture, fax machines and computers could be probably suffered but the attempt at destruction of the trophies could not be condoned, he added.

Dungarpur reiterated that the tour by the Pakistani cricket team was "very much on with the Pakistan premier downwards confirming their intentions". Besides, both the Union Home Ministry and the Mumbai and Maharashtra Police have been "very supportive" about providing necessary security, he said.

Dungarpur also met Joshi, who is also a vice-president of the Board, Munde and top police officials.

Speaking from Chennai, External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh today described as"reprehensible" Sena’s attempts to disrupt the Indo-Pak cricket Test series but asserted that it would not have any impact on the ongoing bilateral talks between the two countries.

Singh said, "It is reprehensible and cannot be condoned. Such stray incidents cannot be permitted to stand in the way of good relationship between the two countries."

Responding to a question on whether Sena’s actions could cast a shadow on the bilateral talks with Pakistan, Singh said, "Please do not treat abnormal actions as the yardstick for the talks." The next round of talks with Pakistan is scheduled for February, he informed.