Uddhav Thackeray lashes out at Chavan over withdrawal of security cover

MUMBAI - Shiv Sena Executive President Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday lashed out at Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, a day after his Z-plus security cover was taken away.

Thackeray said the State Government could now use the security to guard Kasab, as he is more important to the government.

Addressing the media, Thackeray said, “The public says they want ‘khana’ (food), Chavan says I want Khan. When he threatened to take away my security, I told him he could do so whenever he pleased.”

“He could use it to protect Kasab, as Kasab’s security is more important to him,” added Thackeray.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan had on Tuesday issued a warning to Shiv Sena Executive President Uddhav Thackeray that his security would be withdrawn if he broke the law.

Chavan had said, “If required we will also withdraw security of Uddhav Thackeray. I have already withdrawn security of Sena leaders involved in such (protesting against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi) incidents.”

Mumbai Police has detained over a thousand of Shiv Sena activists to avoid any disruption or violence during the release of the Bollywood flick ‘My Name is Khan’ on Friday.

The police has also provided special security to movie theaters screening the film. Applications for leave of all policemen has been cancelled to ensure a full presence.

Police personnel from the State Reserve Police Force and the Home Guards will also be deployed at the city’s 63 theaters, where the movie will be screened.

Meanwhile, movie theaters have closed down advance bookings for ‘My Name is Khan’, fearing attacks by Shiv Sena activists before and during the screening of the movie.

Shiv Sena activists had on Tuesday attacked several cinema halls that were supposed to screen Shahrukh Khan’s flick.

Sena workers managed to enter the halls and damage screens of the Metro theater in south Mumbai and the Huma Cinema at Kanjurmarg using sharp instruments.

Activists pelted stones and broke the glasses of Mehul cinema in suburban Mulund. They also tore down posters of the movie outside Fame cinema in Pantnagar and R-City Mall at Ghatkopar.

Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar had on Tuesday met Mumbai Police Commissioner D Sivanandan and sought police security ahead of the film’s release.

The representatives of the film’s distributor, FOX Searchlight, had also met the top Mumbai cop along with multiplex owners.

The Shiv Sena is upset with Khan’s statements that Pakistani cricketers should be allowed to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) inspite of the 26/11-terror attack. (ANI)