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Shiv Sena ministers at the Centre resign

Syed Firdaus Ashraf in Bombay

All three Shiv Sena members of the Union Council of Ministers resigned on Wednesday following the Maharashtra government's assertion on Tuesday that Sena leader Bal Thackeray's arrest is imminent.

Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers Suresh Prabhu was the first to resign. Heavy Industries Minister Manohar Joshi, a former chief minister of Maharashtra, and Minister of State for Finance Eknath 'Balasaheb' Vikhe-Patil followed suit. But Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee turned down the resignations.

Speaking to reporters, Joshi said he did not see any point in continuing as a minister when his party was facing a crisis with its leader threatened with arrest and the security cover of many of its activists withdrawn.

Sources said the Bombay police had withdrawn half the security personnel from Matoshree, Thackeray's home in suburban Bandra. The security detail for many local Sena activists has also been withdrawn.

Sources at the Prime Minister's Office told rediff.com that the Sena's Union ministers told the prime minister that the security for Thackeray was withdrawn at 0200 hours on Wednesday morning. The Sena trio wanted the central government to ensure Z Plus security for Thackeray and rush National Security Guards to Bombay for his protection.

"Even my security has been withdrawn," Sena spokesman Subhash Desai told rediff.com "I had been given protection for so many years. The same is the case for the shakha pramukhs [local branch leaders] whose security has been withdrawn."

Joint Commissioner of Police (law & order) Yadunath C Pawar told rediff.com, "The Rapid Action Force has been called to the city and all precautionary measures are being taken since last week."

Pawar refused to confirm if Thackeray's arrest is imminent. "I think the information about the RAF arriving in the city is more than enough," he remarked.

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