Thane (M'rashtra): Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray yesterday (Oct 9, 2004) lashed out at NCP (Nationalist Congress Party)-Congress alliance for creating an impression among the people about the alleged rift between his son Uddhav and nephew Raj and asserted that no one can divide members of his family.

Both Uddhav and Raj have already publicly announced that they are united, Thackeray said they will continue to be one.

"Nobody can create a rift between (Raj and Uddhav); at least no one is born till date who can keep them apart," Thackeray said told a mammoth rally in Thane, his first due to ill-health.

Thackeray's statement assumes significance as Raj had said on September 7 that he is not averse to becoming Chief Minister of Maharashtra and could even join electoral politics some time in future.

Thackeray said on September 9 that it was he who will decide the Chief Ministerial candidate if Sena-BJP combine was voted to power in the State.

Thackeray also criticised NCP president Sharad Pawar for his wavering stance on "foreign origin" issue of Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Commenting on the recent statement of Pawar, who said he would not have been a Minister had Sonia become a Prime Minister, Thackeray asked the NCP chief to clarify how the foreign origin issue has ceased for him even though Sonia was at the helm of affairs of the UPA (United Progressive Alliance).

He said Sonia had not sacrificed Prime Minister's post but had to give up her claim due to circumstances.

The Sena chief said, " Sonia had gone to President A P J Abdul Kalam to stake her claim for the Prime Minister's post but he had warned her that the armed forces would not accept commands from a foreigner."