Thackeray To Appear Before Court In Ayodhya Case

Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray, who has been charged in the Ayodhya demolition case, has said he would appear before the special court in Lucknow on October 17, but has ridiculed the charge of conspiring to demolish the structure or inciting people.

I did not know I was that powerful a person or that my remote control works from here to Babri...I have not done any crime. Definitely not. I have not incited people. The people who were presented at the time (of demolition) are not involved (by the CBI) but I am sitting here and they involve me, Thackeray said in an interview to Home TV.

On the day of demolition, he said he was in Mumbai, but had not stopped anybody who wanted to go to Ayodhya. According to him, there was no conspiracy to demolish the structure, and it was a absolutely a spontaneous move by those present. He, howvere, has not regrets about the fact that he applauded the demolition.

I said ir and I would repeat it. I am not scared of anything. Why should I regret? I do not regret whatever I said. I am a political cartoonist. I am not a politician. That is the difference. A politician must say `no comment or that it was my individual opinion. I have no individual opinion. Anything I say I say in the capacity of Chiv Sena chief, Thackeray said.

He said he had full faith in the judiciary, and would approach the Supreme Court if needed. He said there was a possibility of his joining the BJP leaders similarly charged in order to put up a joint defence. The BJP leaders charged by the special sourt include Kalyan Singh, L K Advani and Vijayaraje Scindia.

Thackeray disclosed that music producer Nadeem had not contacted him after he was accused by the Mumbai police of involvement in the murder of Gulshan Kumar. He, however, said there was nothing wrong in speaking to him, but said he would not extend any help. He would not say if Nadeem was guilty, but said if he were indeed involved, he said he was could not do anything for the celebrated music producer.

We were friends. I know the whole inductry. And then as long as it is not proved what is wrong in speaking? But i will not help him. I will not save him. He may talk to me but so far he has not. I have not received his telephone as yet, and even if he speaks I will tell him very bluntly `I am sorry I cannot help you, Thackeary said.

He claimed he had names ot three persons suspected to be involved in the murder. He, however, would not disclose the names to Mumbai police unless he was approached by the police.

Why should I tell them? If they want the names they will contact me. Why should I go? I am the chief of a very pretigious organisation. When the damned thing is published in the newspapers it is the duty of the police to contact me. Why should I contact the police? I have said it in the press. If the police wants they may come to me and I will say it to them. But I will not go to the police commissioners office, Thackeray said.

He is said to be unhappy with the appointment of R H Mendonca as Mumbais police commissioner.