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If I get bail it is well and good: Thackeray

Panic gripped Bombay today as Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray proceeded voluntarily to the Bhoiwada court to attend the hearing in the case related to his alleged inflammatory writings during the 1992-1993 Bombay riots, even as no intimation was received by him either from the court or the police.

Speaking to reporters while coming out of his home at Matoshri in Bandra, in northwest Bombay, Thackeray said he has received no orders from the court or the police so far, but sees it as his duty to attend the court proceedings ''to put an end to the ten-day long drama which has held the entire city to ransom.''

Thackeray said he was going to court on his own as the ''arrest drama has to end somewhere."

''The people have been living in fear and anxiety for the last ten days, and hence I have decided to take this step to rein in this panic situation somewhere,'' he added.

He further said he was ready to face the proceedings and abide by the court's decision, but added, ''If I get bail it is well and good.''

He also explained it was a good move to recall the three ministers from the Centre and added, ''They will be more helpful to tackle the situation here, rather than sit in their cabins there,'' and agreed that their decision to resign has certainly helped.

Thackeray was accompanied by his lawyer Satish Maneshinde, leader of the Opposition in the state legislative assembly, Narayan Rane, BJP leader Gopinath Munde, Shiv Sena spokesperson Subhash Desai and Union Minister Suresh Prabhu.

UNI

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