Mumbai: Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray today (Apr 26, 2004) said that his party would distance itself from National Democratic Alliance (NDA) if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led alliance decided to take help of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar to form a new Government.

"Although the idea (to take Pawar's help) is a distant thing, we will prefer to sit outside the 'seat of power' in that eventuality," Thackeray said after casting vote at a municipal school near his residence in suburban Bandra.

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Political Parties in India

Thackeray, who was banned from exercising his right to franchise for six years for seeking vote in the name of religion, cast his vote after a gap of over eight years as the disqualification ended in 2001.

Commenting on his recent statement that he "may or may not" support NDA in case it takes Pawar's support to form a Government, Thackeray said, "I have abused that man (Pawar) so many times in public in the last and present election, that I find it improper to sit with him (in Government)."

He, however, quickly clarified that he has deep respect for Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Commenting on prospects of Shiv Sena in Parliamentary polls, the Sena chief in a lighter vein said that the polls were like a Derby. "We are gambling and if we win its ok. But we are gambling for the good of the nation and we will have to play it," Thackeray said.

On the results of the exit polls, the Sena chief said such results could not be relied upon. The exit polls in last Assembly elections in three States predicted a landslide victory to Congress, but it never came true.

Replying to a question on ageing politicians, Thackeray once again remarked humorously, "by asking such a question you are hurting me".

"I am just 70 plus and am eying to be a Prime Minister when I turn 80. Right now 80 years is a pre-requisite to be a Prime Minister," Thackeray quipped.

Reacting to how he felt to vote after a gap of eight years, the Sena chief said that he was disqualified because the Election Commission had put condition and restriction that he should not highlight 'hindutva' in poll campaign and he violated the directives.

"Now they are waiting to grab an opportunity to disqualify me once again," he claimed.

The Sena chief was accompanied by son Uddhav Thackeray to the polling station, while Sena nominee from Northwest Mumbai constituency segment, Sanjay Nirupam, welcomed him with a bouquet.