Mumbai:
Downplaying the controversy triggered by MNS chief Raj Thackeray's meeting with Maharashtra BJP leaders, Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray on Wednesday said there was no "severe reaction" in his party on the issue, but felt that "decorum in friendship" should be maintained.
The Sena leader said he has never been selfish in personal friendship or political alliance and "hence, I feel decorum in friendship has to be maintained."
In an editorial in party mouthpiece "Saamna", the leader said he had on many occasions handled his "dear friend" (BJP) sternly as a "family elder", but never caused "bad omen".
Trashing media reports about the meeting having caused anxiety in his party, Thackeray said there was "no severe reaction".
"We have no reason to panic. Anybody is free to drink tea anywhere," Thackeray said criticising the media for reporting that he and his son Uddhav, Shiv Sena Executive President, had spoken to BJP leaders in Delhi over the issue.
"Since the media is authorised to make such discoveries, it is best not to speak about it," he said.
"I don't know if the tea meeting was just a courtesy call or there was politics behind the move. I am concerned only about the politics of Maharashtra's interest and self-respect of Marathi people," he said.
The relations between BJP and its oldest ally Shiv Sena had come under severe strain after Raj Thackeray's visit to the state BJP office on Monday with the latter threatening to boycott Wednesday's NDA rally in Delhi against corruption.
According to reports, it took the persuasive skills of top BJP leaders including L K Advani to smoothen the ruffled feathers of the Sena, which demanded a clarification, to give up its boycott plan.
"Advaniji and Sushmaji spoke to me over phone and then we decided to attend the NDA rally scheduled for tomorrow in Delhi," Uddhav told reporters on Wednesday evening.
In a surprise development, Raj Thackeray, after inaugurating his party's office in south Mumbai on Monday, had visited the nearby BJP office where he was welcomed by state president Sudhir Mungantiwar and others.
The informal meeting lasted for about 20 minutes, triggering speculation about emergence of a new political alliance before the Mumbai civic polls in early 2012.
Despite the BJP trying to make light of the meeting, a livid Sena demanded clarification.
"Raj was in the vicinity of the BJP office and dropped in for a cup of tea. This does not mean that new political equations are in offing," Mungantiwar had said.