Mumbai: In an apparent climb-down, Shiv Sena today (Dec 3, 2004) indicated its unwillingness to hit the streets to oppose S M Krishna's appointment as Maharashtra Governor.

"How are we supposed to oppose? Is Krishna's appointment more important than other issues like ballooning debt, malnutrition deaths and scarcity," questioned Opposition leader and senior Sena leader, Narayan Rane in Mumbai.

"We will not deviate from the core issues, grappling the State," Rane emphasised.

Former Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi, talking to reporters separately at the party office, said, "The Sena's future course of action will be decided after viewing Krishna's functioning."

As a Governor, he (Krishna) will have to follow the stance adopted by the State Government as well as by the people of the State," Joshi said.

Sena has strongly criticised the former Karnataka Chief Minister's gubernatorial appointment in view of the "anti-Maharashtra" stance adopted by Krishna over the boundary row between the neighbouring States.

The former Lok Sabha Speaker blamed the Congress for creating an issue by making Krishna the Governor of the State.

To a query, Rane said he would be attending the swearing-in ceremony of Krishna.

Asked about Sena MPs' stringent opposition to Krishna in view of his "anti-Maharashtra stance" on the boundary row between Maharashtra and Karnataka, Rane said the new Governor will have to follow the Cabinet's views.

"If at all any decision has to be taken about agitation, it will be taken by the Sena supreme," Rane added.