New Delhi: Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray tonight (Jun 22, 2004) came out strongly in support of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi asserting that his removal would send a "wrong signal".

"What is the need to raise such an issue? What is the need to remove Modi? It will send a wrong signal.... Hindus will be upset and Muslims will be emboldened," he said in an interview to 'Zee News' on the eve of BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) National Executive meeting in Mumbai.

Thackeray said sometime back he had made it clear that Modi's removal would result in the "loss of Gujarat".

He said the ties of Shiv Sena with BJP were on the issue of Hindutva, "otherwise how are we concerned with that party".

Attacking the so-called "pseudo-secularists", he said that they talk only of the riots in Gujarat and not about the Godhra incident.

Asked about the reasons for the defeat of BJP-led NDA (National Democratic Alliance) in the recent Lok Sabha elections, the Sena Chief said the main cause for the debacle was lack of consistency in the political line on issues like Ayodhya.

"One should consistently stick to a line. If you are talking about Lord Ram, then be consistent and follow that line," he said, adding Rani Laxmibai fearlessly stuck to "mein Jhansi nahi doongi (I will not part with Jhansi)".